Bradgate

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 Bradgate Businesses

Early 1900's

Smooth Shave, owner Walter Wallace

Livery & Feed Stable, owner Charles Tilton 

  Meat & Groceries, owner George E. Kelsey

Dry Goods, owner John Anderson

Newgards Lumber, owner Frank Richey

Harness, owners W. C. Carpenter & Son 

Butler Drug Store

Roy Smith Drug Store

Fancy Groceries, owner J. Tilton 

Implements and Furniture owner, George Fletcher

State Saving Bank, O. J. Sheldon, Cashier

Photography, owner N.E. Higby

Draying, operator L .J. Riley 

Painting was done by M. M. Reints

Two Hotels

Two restaurants operated by L. L. Buck and H. D. Smith

 

In all there were 20 businesses by 1910.  In the near by country side, the climate of hot summers and cold winters was conducive to growing bounteous crops of wheat, oats, corn and hay.  The always important railroad, used to carry on the business and these commodities to the city markets.  At that time there were four passenger trains and several freight trains through each day.  One could purchase any article from pins to large machinery, conducive to good living at this time.

The Wars and the Depression

World War I and the Depression brought a decline in the community.  The bank closed in 1923, the hardware store moved out of town.  Bradgate still had a good school and two churches, the population less than 200.  But World War II brought another decline, when many people moved out to find jobs, the young people went to college, with a big improvement in jobs and their way of living.  Cars were plentiful and carried trade to larger towns.  The Baptist Church was closed and torn down in 1937.  After some of the businesses combining or moving out there was only one grocery store, a lumber yard, one church, a grade school, cafe, service station, a welding shop, a garage and a Co-op Elevator.