Bradford County is named for William Bradford, who was a lawyer and judge from Philadelphia and the second United States Attorney General.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Chemung County, New York and Tioga County, New York
E – Susquehanna County and Wyoming County
S – Wyoming County, Sullivan County and Lycoming County
W – Tioga County
Created: February 21, 1810 
County Seat:
Towanda 1810 – present
Troy 1894 – 1916 ( second county seat )
County Courthouse – Towanda
Location: 101 Main Street / Poplar Street
Built: 1896 – 1897
Style: Neo-Classical Renaissance Revival
Architect: Israel Lehman & Theodore Schmitt of Cleveland, Ohio
Contractor: Thomas Bradley of Corning, New York
Description: The building faces west and is a four story gray colored sandstone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Towanda. The building forms a crucifix shape with rusticated stonework. The west front has three square openings on the first story and three arched windows on the second story with wide pediment above. On the center of the roof is a large green colored octagonal dome with the Statue of Lady Justice at the top. The interior has woodwork of highly finished native white oak. The first story has terrazzo flooring with a border of black and white colored patterned marble mosaic. The walls are white painted plaster. A large Italian marble staircase rises from the first story to a mid-story landing and separates in two directions to the second story rotunda. Elaborate iron grillwork supports the oak handrail which encompasses the entire stairway and second story balcony. The second story has marble mosaic flooring and white colored marble wainscoting. Double oak doors with vented overhead fanlights provide entrance to County Court of Common Pleas courtroom #1 and County Court of Common Pleas courtroom #2. In Courtroom #1, four copper finished chandeliers fitted for both gas and electric operation hang from the ceiling. Two large oak Corinthian columns support the entablature under which the Judge’s bench. The beauty of the intricate woodwork surrounding the bench is unequalled throughout the entire building. The building houses the County Court of Common Pleas of the 42nd Judicial District.
Old County Courthouse – Troy
Location: 101 East Main Street / Courthouse Square
Built: 1894 – 1895
Style: Romanesque
Architect: Culver & Hudson
Contractor: Lawrence Brothers.
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is known as the Van Dyne Civic Building and served as the western courthouse until 1916. The building is located on landscaped grounds. At each corner is a round tower with conical roof. The west front has a central arched entrance with a large window on the second story. At the top is a large clock with peaked gable end. Each side of the roof has a raised gable end. The roof is hipped. The building is known as the Van Dyne Civic Building. The building now serves as a bank.
History: The county was created in 1810 as Ontario County and Towanda was selected as the county seat. In 1812 the name was changed to Bradford County. The first courthouse was built. In 1848 to 1849 the second courthouse was built. The county Courthouse Annex was built in 1857 and is still standing. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1896 to 1897 at a cost of $113,866. In 1894, to 1916 Troy became the second county seat and a courthouse was constructed in 1894 to 1895 which is still standing.
County Courthouse – Towanda
County Courthouse Annex – Towanda
County Courthouse – Troy
Photos taken 2011 and 2017
Images 16