Bradford County, with an urban population of less than 3 percent, has been called "a little agricultural empire." The county ranks third in the state of Pennsylvania in milk production.
The largest of the four counties of the Endless Mountains, Bradford County is rich in history. Founded in 1810, it was originally called Ontario, but the name was changed to Bradford in honor of U.S. Attorney General William Bradford, a member of George Washington's cabinet.
In 1616, Etinne Brule was the first white man to enter the county. He was on a mission from the Lake Champlain country to deal with the Andaste Indians and traveled the length of the Susquehanna River from South Waverly to the Chesapeake Bay. Later, other explorers, trappers and dedicated missionaries followed.
Bradford County was the home of Queen Esther, of mixed French and Indian ancestry, who inflicted terror and death upon settlers in the Wyoming Massacre. It was this infamous massacre that brought General John Sullivan and his army into the area. After his invasion, referred to as "Sullivan's March" many Indians left the region forever -- but the names they gave their villages and streams remain.
Among some of the notable personalities of Bradford County was Stephen Foster who lived in both Towanda and Athens when he wrote some of his immortal songs. Towanda was also the home of David Wilmot, author of the Wilmot Proviso, limiting slavery in land purchased from Mexico by the United States.
Text Provided by the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau
Historical Societies in Bradford County
In addition to the Historical Sites below, there are many Museums in Bradford County and within driving distance.
More about Pensylvania State History
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