Bradley's Country Store Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bradley's Country Store
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| Location | Felkel, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 84000902 |
| Added to NRHP | 12 April 1984 |
Bradley's Country Store is a special place located about 12 miles (19 km) north of Tallahassee, Florida. It sits on Centerville Road in a small community called Felkel, Florida. This historic complex has 17 buildings, mostly made of wood, spread across 31 acres (12.5 hectares) of land. It's like stepping back in time to how food shopping used to be!
The Story of Bradley's Country Store
The history of Bradley's Country Store began in 1910. That's when Mrs. Bradley started selling her homemade sausage right from her kitchen. People in the nearby areas of Felkel and Miccosukee loved it!
The main store building was built in 1927. It became a central spot for the community. A few years earlier, in 1915, a special machine called a cane press was set up. This machine, along with a syrup furnace, helped make delicious cane syrup. Later, a syrup house was added to store all the bottled syrup.
More buildings were added over time. In 1922, a commissary was built. A commissary is like a general store where people could buy supplies. Later, a grist mill was constructed. A grist mill grinds grains like corn into flour or meal. A smokehouse was also built. This is where meats were smoked to preserve them and add flavor. Finally, a sausage processing plant was added.
Bradley's Country Milled Grits became famous in the 1920s. Today, this small store is still very popular. Visitors can experience shopping much like it was in the early 1900s. Because of its history, Bradley's Country Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 1984. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What You Can Find at Bradley's
Bradley's Country Store sells many different things. You can find dry goods and canned foods. They also have items for everyday needs. But what makes Bradley's truly special are the foods they make themselves!
They are famous for their own Bradley's Country Sausage. They also make tasty cracklings. Other unique items include liver pudding and hogshead cheese. You can also buy their special coarse ground country milled grits. They also sell corn meal and sweet cane syrup. It's a great place to find traditional Southern foods.
Fun Events at Bradley's
Bradley's Country Store is not just for shopping. It also hosts exciting events throughout the year!
- Tallahassee Trade Fair: This event happens every year on President's Day weekend. It's a fun reenactment of an 18th-century camp. People dress in old-fashioned costumes. They show how things were done long ago. It's like a living history lesson!
- Bradley's Country Fun Day: This popular event takes place every year. It's always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It's a day full of fun activities for everyone.
