Born in 1861 in Texas to W. A Bradfrod (born Tennessee) and Mary Bradford. Married Ella C. Bradford and second to Marry Bradford.
He was owner and operator of Onondago Cave. He leased and eventually bought it fro Catharine Weinborg around 1913. Property disputes lead to legal battles and parts of the cave to be closed off. He built the Cool Room, a motel at the Cave's mouth cooled by the cave air. he had a walkout exit from the cave dug (entrance today). Tourist at that time took a boat in and out. Now they could boat in and walk out. Bernard Hospital had loaned Bradford money to make improvement to the cave. Tourism fell off during World War II causing the cave to close. Catherdral Cave closed as well which was the other portion of this cave closed off due to legal land battles. Mary Bradford sold out to Barnard Hospital in 1945. This giving the caves finally one owner and they could do up grades add electric and paths to take tourist around the cave.
Passed away September 26, 1939 in Crawford county, Cuba, Missouri. Buried September 28, 1939 at Bellefontaine Cemetery, ST Louis, Missouri.
Born in 1861 in Texas to W. A Bradfrod (born Tennessee) and Mary Bradford. Married Ella C. Bradford and second to Marry Bradford.
He was owner and operator of Onondago Cave. He leased and eventually bought it fro Catharine Weinborg around 1913. Property disputes lead to legal battles and parts of the cave to be closed off. He built the Cool Room, a motel at the Cave's mouth cooled by the cave air. he had a walkout exit from the cave dug (entrance today). Tourist at that time took a boat in and out. Now they could boat in and walk out. Bernard Hospital had loaned Bradford money to make improvement to the cave. Tourism fell off during World War II causing the cave to close. Catherdral Cave closed as well which was the other portion of this cave closed off due to legal land battles. Mary Bradford sold out to Barnard Hospital in 1945. This giving the caves finally one owner and they could do up grades add electric and paths to take tourist around the cave.
Passed away September 26, 1939 in Crawford county, Cuba, Missouri. Buried September 28, 1939 at Bellefontaine Cemetery, ST Louis, Missouri.
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