Bradfordville, Florida facts for kids
Bradfordville is a community in northern Leon County, Florida, United States. It's not a city, but a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area that the government counts as a community for population statistics. In 2020, about 19,183 people lived there. Bradfordville is part of the larger Tallahassee area. It is about 8 miles (13 km) north of Tallahassee and south of the Georgia state line. You can find it where two main roads, US 319 and County Road 0342 (Bannerman Road/Bradfordville Road), meet. The land here is about 223 feet (68 meters) above sea level.
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Exploring Bradfordville's Land
Bradfordville has a landscape with gently rolling hills and deep ravines. You'll also see many lakes and ponds scattered around. Lake Iamonia, which is one of Florida's biggest natural lakes, is located to the northwest of Bradfordville. This area is also part of the special Red Hills Region, known for its unique red soil and beautiful scenery.
Who Lives in Bradfordville?
In 2020, there were 19,183 people living in Bradfordville. These people lived in about 7,114 homes, with 5,833 of those being families. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds.
A Look Back in Time: Bradfordville's History
Bradfordville started as a small settlement between 1829 and 1832. This was when the Bradford brothers moved to the area from North Carolina. They came to farm large areas of land.
The Bradford family had a famous ancestor: William Bradford. He was a very early leader, or governor, of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. The Bradford brothers' mother, Sarah Cromwell Bradford, was also related to Oliver Cromwell, a famous historical figure from England.
Early Farms and Plantations
The Bradford brothers became important farmers in the area. They established several large farms, known as plantations:
- Thomas Anderson Bradford started a farm called Walnut Hill Plantation.
- Dr. William H. Bradford created Edgewood Plantation. He also provided medical care for workers on another farm, Pine Hill Plantation.
- Henry B. Bradford lived close to his brother Thomas, a little further south.
- Dr. Edward Bradford was the most successful brother. He founded Pine Hill Plantation. Later, he also started Horseshoe Plantation near Lake Iamonia. This plantation is still used today as a private hunting preserve.
- Richard Henry Bradford founded Water Oak Plantation close to Lake McBride.
Another important farmer, Captain William Lester from Georgia, also moved to Leon County. He started a very successful and large farm called Oaklawn Plantation.
The Bradfordville School was built sometime between 1884 and 1892. It was on land owned by the Lester family. This school was a simple wooden building, typical of the "one-room schoolhouses" you might read about in history books. It has been saved and is now located on Bannerman Road. It is recognized as a historic place.
In 1886, a person named T. Hardenburgh opened a factory in Bradfordville that made brooms. Farmers in the area grew special "broom corn" to supply the factory. This helped the factory stay busy all year.
In the early 1900s, Bradfordville had a few local businesses. There were two general stores where people could buy everyday items. There was also a local judge, Judge Whitehead, and a meat market run by Tommy Carr on Saturdays. Greene Johnson ran a trading post that sold basic goods like sugar and flour. Today, that old trading post building has been fixed up and is now an animal hospital.
Today, Bradfordville has many large homes. It is also a busy commercial area. You'll find Lawton Chiles High School here, along with several banks and major stores. There are also many smaller shops. There are plans for a new road, the Red Hills Coastal Parkway, which would end in Bradfordville.
Nature in Bradfordville
Bradfordville is surrounded by forests. You can find many types of trees here, including longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, loblolly pine, laurel oak, Southern live oak, chalk maple, Southern magnolia, and sweetgum.
The area is also home to various wildlife. Some of the animals you might find here include the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, wood stork, osprey, northern bobwhite, and gopher tortoises.
Schools in Bradfordville
- Lawton Chiles High School
- Deerlake Middle School
- Killearn Lakes Elementary
