Bradley Historical Society 
David Bradley Mfg

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  J. Herman Hardebeck succeeded in bringing the David Bradley Manufacturing Co. to North Kankakee in April of 1895. On July 13, 1895, the village name was changed to Bradley City, and then in March of 1896 to just Bradley. In 1958 the name was changed to the George D. Roper Corporation. In 1962 Sears merged the David Bradley Mfg. Co. and the Newark, Ohio, Company into a single unit. The Bradley plant became known as the Newark, Ohio, Co., Bradley Division. In 1964 the Newark, Ohio, Company is merged with the George D. Roper corporation. In 1982 the Bradley Roper plant is given to the village of Bradley. In 1986 fire destroyed 6 buildings of the Bradley plant.
 

Newsletter to the servicemen & women 1944

Employees in the service 1944

WWII 4.2" shell production

WWII Army, Navy "E" Award Booklet


David Bradley Family Day 1949

Pioneer Plowman & Roper Bradley Newsletters

Dept. 71 Seniorty list abt 1948

Bradley Division Open House 1967

1886 David Bradley Catalog

1902 David Bradley Plow Catalog
Donated by Barbara Ryon Fort Worth Texas

1914 Sears DB Farm Catalog
1932 Sears DB Farm Catalog
Donated by Anne Kolb


Six of the Bradley Roper buildings were destroyed by fire on July 14, 1986.

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Misc. pictures

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David & J. Harley Bradley


Factory brass


Office


Service


Manure Spreader

David Bradley 1910

Famous DB Plow

WWII Mortar Shells

Employee Picnic

1970's


Suburban Tractor Line


1970 Softball team
team record 19-0
donated by Jim Cahill


last plowshare made at DB

1954 check stub
   

CONTACT BHS:
   Email -  bradleyhist@gmail.com
   Phone -  815-936-5149 (village hall)
  Address - Bradley Historical Society
                  147 S. Michigan Ave.
                  Bradley, IL 60915

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