Bradford is a scenic small town in the hills
Bradford is a jam-packed community holding tight to its small-town character in the Allegheny Mountains. The area is home to a university, a hospital and company headquarters for world-renowned Zippo lighters. Yet it’s still an area full of quiet residential blocks. “It’s small-town living, so it’s a slower pace of life,” says local Realtor Heather Chase of ERA Team VP Real Estate, who has over eight years of industry experience. “If my husband locked the doors on the house, I wouldn’t be able to get in because I don’t have a key. That’s how safe we feel.”
Well-established homes offer buyers an eclectic selection
Bradford is full of classic architecture, with some homes dating back to the 1800s. The area has all manner of Victorian, foursquare, gable-front and ranch-style houses, many of them on sidewalk-lined blocks. Homes in and around the heart of town come on compact lots, often around a tenth of an acre, though homebuyers can find larger lots on the outskirts. Houses needing updates sell for $20,000 to $70,000, while options in better condition go for anywhere from $70,000 to $380,000.
Downtown Bradford is a vibrant business district
Brick Italianate-style buildings dot Bradford’s downtown skyline. The buildings feature businesses like Cummins Country Charm, offering a variety of seasonal home decor. Also, J&M’s Closet, a thrift store specializing in clothing. Bradford’s downtown dining scene includes spots like Kabob's at The Option House, housed in a 1902 building with glass chandeliers and intricate wood paneling. “Kabob’s is our No. 1,” Chase says. Taco Inc. is a draw for not just tacos, fajitas and margaritas. Locals can pick up groceries downtown at Tops or spend and afternoon at the Zippo/Case Museum on the south side of town. Founded in Bradford in the 1930s, Zippo owns the Case knives company and is still the largest employer across McKean County.
Community can gather around downtown on multiple occasions
Downtown Bradford doubles as a hub for community events. For example, summer Nights in the Square attracts people for a series of free concerts in June and July, with food trucks and other vendors. Pumpkin Fest in September features a parade, games and wagon rides. Old Fashioned Christmas in December includes a breakfast with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus and more, accented by a backdrop of Christmas music. “This is a great way of life, are you kidding me?” Chase says. “We literally still pipe in Christmas music on Main Street and do carriage rides. Normal Rockwell probably visited here.”
Bradford schools foster career development
The Bradford Area School District receives a B-minus grade from Niche. George G. Blaisdell Elementary includes prekindergarten through second grade and has a Parent Lighthouse Team supporting school programming. School Street Elementary covers grades 3 through 5 and hosts a meet-and-greet with teachers before the start of the year. Floyd C. Fretz Middle has its own STEM class. Students at Bradford Area High can participate in career and technical education programs in topics including automotive technology, carpentry and engineering.
The University of Pittsburgh Bradford has over 960 students on its 500-acre campus. The school offers over 40 majors, with business management, biology and nursing among the most popular.
Varied parks and trails offer opportunities to get active
Bradford’s park system includes the 28-acre Callahan Park, which is packed with basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields and a playground. The space also features the Barcroft Pool, open from June to August, and an indoor ice rink that's open six days a week. The smaller Hanley Park has a skate park and a playground. The community’s Tuna Valley Trails system has four paths totalling almost 12 miles. The 65,000-acre Allegany State Park offers two lakes, almost 200 campsites and over 80 miles of trails.
U.S. highway carries drivers toward other communities
Commuters in Bradford have quick access to U.S. Route 219, also known as the Pittsburgh-Buffalo Highway. The roadway takes drivers north toward Buffalo, New York, about 80 miles away. Bradford Regional Airport has daily flights to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The Area Transportation Authority offers bus service around the community, with local stops at places like the Bradford Regional Medical Center, which has an emergency department.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
