According to the Ohio Historical Society, Bradford began in 1852 as a construction camp of the Columbus, Piqua and Indiana Railroad. At one time there were 60 miles of track, a 50-stall roundhouse, and jobs for 2,000 men.
Today, just memories, a railroad museum and railroad beds minus the rails are just about all that's left.
An active railroad historcal group, made up of towns people, retired railroaders and railroad enthusiasts are working hard to preserve history. Saving the BF Tower is part of that effort.
The last train to pass through Bradford was in the mid-1980's.
The State of Ohio granted the historical society $100,000 to help restore the tower.
That restoration effort should be completed a year from now, in time for the next railroad festival.
You can contact the Bradord Railroad Museum at P.O. Box 101, Bradford, Ohio, 45308, (937) 448-2912.
Steve.Baker@WHIOTV.com