FAMED VISITORS: We’ll all be glued to the TV set tonight
watching the vice presidential debate. But, Bradford residents of a
previous time could have gotten to meet some very well-known
political characters face-to-face .

Bradford Landmark Society tells us that Bradford has had some
very famous visitors over the years.

“Socialists and Speakers: Bradford was always ready to hear a
good lecture on topics of the day, and many famous speakers came to
Bradford. Carrie Nation, the well-known opponent of drink and sin,
came to Bradford at least twice, in 1901 and 1903, speaking in the
Public Square and staying at the Hotel Holley.”

“Belva Lockwood, the first woman to run for president, came here
in October 1888 and spoke at the Methodist Church.

“Eugene V. Debs, the noted Socialist and labor leader, lectured
at the Bradford Theater in January 1906, and William Jennings Bryan
spoke on the ‘World’s Greatest Needs,’ lecturing at the YMCA and
the Bradford Theater, and stayed at the Hotel Holley in March
1922.

“Evangeline Booth, daughter of Salvation Army founder William
Booth, came to Bradford in June 1931.

“Susan B. Anthony spoke out on women’s suffrage at the Wagner
Opera House in April 1892.”

Here’s the word about presidential visits:

“Presidents: So far, only two U.S. presidents have come to
Bradford, and both were out of office at the time. Ulysses S. Grant
came in the late 1870s, on his way to see the Kinzua Bridge; his
train briefly stopped in Bradford, at which time he greeted city
officials before traveling on to see the ‘8th Wonder of the
World.’

“William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States
(1909-1913), came here in December 1919. Taft gave a speech on the
League of Nations at the Bradford Theater (later renamed Shea’s
Theater) and later dined that night with the Hazelton family at 8
School St.”

Bradford has also hosted Pennsylvania governors: Samuel
Pennypacker, who was actually running for governor at the time (and
made it – he was governor from 1903 to 1907); Gov. Gifford Pinchot,
who visited Bradford and talked in the public square in 1925 and
again in 1930; and of course, Gov. Thomas Ridge, who visited the
Zippo-Case Museum opening in 1997.

Finally for today, let’s remember that incumbent Gov. Ed Rendell
has been in Bradford twice.