Bradford Siding, California facts for kids

Bradford Siding was once a small community in Inyo County, California. It was not a big town, but more like a stopping point along a railroad line. This place is no longer active today, which is why it's called a "former settlement."

What Was Bradford Siding?

Bradford Siding was a tiny spot in the desert landscape of California. It was located in Inyo County, which is a large county in eastern California. This area is known for its dry, desert environment, including parts of the famous Mojave Desert and the Amargosa Desert.

A "siding" on a railroad is like a short extra track next to the main one. Trains could pull off onto a siding to let other trains pass, or to load and unload goods. Bradford Siding served this purpose, making it an important, though small, part of the region's transportation history.

Where Was It Located?

This former settlement was found about 6 miles (or about 10 kilometers) north-northwest of a place called Death Valley Junction. Death Valley Junction is a historic spot near the entrance to Death Valley National Park, one of the hottest places on Earth.

How Bradford Siding Got Its Name

The name Bradford Siding was given to honor a person named Johnnie Bradford. Johnnie Bradford was involved in transporting materials, specifically clay, to this location. So, the siding was named after him to recognize his work in the area.

The Railroad Connection

Bradford Siding was an important stop on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad. This railroad was built in the early 1900s to transport minerals and supplies across the desert. It connected mining towns like Tonopah, Nevada, with ports and other major railroad lines.

At Bradford Siding, a special, smaller railroad line branched off from the main Tonopah and Tidewater track. This smaller line was a "narrow-gauge" railroad, meaning its tracks were closer together than standard tracks. This narrow-gauge line headed towards a place called Ash Meadows in Nevada. These branch lines were often used to reach mines or other remote locations that needed a way to move their goods.

The Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad played a big role in developing the desert regions of California and Nevada. It helped move valuable resources like clay, which was likely transported by people like Johnnie Bradford.