SEARCH: A search for the name of a Bradfordian from the early 1900s sent us to a book we hadn’t realized existed — OK, we’re a hundred and some years late to the game.
It’s an “Illustrated History of Bradford, McKean County, Pa.,” published by brothers C.E. and A.L. Burk in 1901. We’re sure The Era of old may have mentioned it at some point, but we weren’t here then and we’re guessing, neither were you.
There are some photos, illustrations, and all sorts of neat little historical treats for those interested. Of course the oil history is covered, as is the railroad history, and the early years of Littleton.
Col. Levitt C. Little built the Bradford house, a two-story frame dwelling, followed by other buildings. The second house was erected by John Willoughby in 1839, followed by Dr. E.C. Olds and George Burtsell. All were mechanics, you see, and thus Mechanic Street was named.
As for the creek flowing through the town, the book claims a large eddy at the mouth of the town’s creek was called Ichunuagwant, roughly translated to “Big Cove with large mouth.” The creek was called Tunungwant, or crooked creek.
“All the old citizens who remember Col. Little agree that he was an energetic, wide-awake gentleman who in these days would in common parlance be termed a ‘hustler,’” the book read.
We had hoped this old book might be able to tell us why Littleton became Bradford. However, while noting the change at Colonel Little’s death, the book read, “Just why this change was made is a question that no one seems able to answer.”
More to come.
