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[Bloomsdale Estate, belonging to the Landreth family]
This was the original estate house build on the Landreth Seed Farm (Bloomsdale) located at Radcliffe Street and Green Lane. The oldest part of the house dates from 1752. December 25, 1776 either General Cadwalder or General Putman used this house as their headquarters when preparing to cross the Delaware River to help General Washington. The Landreth family lived there until 1903.
It had eight bedrooms on the second floor and many closets. The third floor had three bedrooms, a water tank room, numerous closets, and three garrets for unused furniture storage.
There were two large parlors on the first floor, named ‘winter’ and ‘summer’ parlors. A fine hall of walnut and ash separated the parlors. The rear hall door opened upon a portico. There was an observatory on top of the house.
There was a sitting room separated from the dining room by folding doors. There were two kitchens, two rear halls, and a rear stairway. Next to the ‘winter parlor’ were two library rooms with walnut and ash. There was an immense cellar. Every room had a fireplace. Apple tree wood, red-cedar, and locust were burned without limitation until the old wood supply was used. They then burned West Virginia soft coal.
The house was sold at a sheriff's sale in 1903 to a sister of David Landreth named Annie. A year later, it was sold out of the family.
About 1860, the lawn was at the zenith of its perfection. -
[Bristol Borough Water Works on Radcliffe Street]
Water is taken from the Delaware River, filtered and purified, and then sent to homes for home consumption. -
[Bristol Post Office at Radcliffe and Market Streets]
Bristol Post Office (until 1914) located at Radcliffe and Market Street. The second floor was a lecture hall. Note the electric trolley tracks (1900-1932) on the street. The new post office opened at Beaver and Prospect Streets in 1914. -
[Bristol Post Office at Radcliffe and Market Streets]
This building stood at the corner of Radcliffe and Market Streets. It was removed circa 1949 when a new red brick structure was built to house a bank. As the photograph indicated, it was the U.S. Post Office until a new Post Office was erected at Beaver and Prospect Streets in 1914. The upper floor was a lecture hall and part of the building housed an antique store. After the postal service moved it became a ticket office for ferry boats and the trolley. -
[Bristol Riverside Theater, Radcliffe and Market Streets]
This is a theater with live stage performances. It was formerly called the Bristol Theater where films were shown. The Bristol Riverside Theater opened in 1987. The first play was ‘The Good Earth’ based on a book of the same name by Bucks County resident Pearl Buck. -
[Bristol Riverside Theatre, view from the back of the building]
Bristol Riverside Theater opened in 1987 on Radcliffe at Market Street. This view is facing the Delaware River. -
[Bristol Riverside Theatre]
Opened in 1987 with the play "The Good Earth" based on the book by Pearl Buck. Louise Rainer, who won an Academy Award for her hole in the movie version in 1937, was present for the opening. -
[Bristol Water Filtration Plant on Radcliffe Street, beginning at Walnut Street]
Owned by Aqua Pennsylvania Water Company, the original water company started at this location in 1874. -
[Bristol Water Works, Radcliffe and Walnut Streets, under renovation]
Building owned by Aqua PA Water Company. -
[Bristol Waterfront on the Delaware River]
Two vertical towers on the left are at Bristol Waterworks on Radcliffe and Walnut Street. Tallest is a water pipe, lower is to carry smoke. To the left is the Elb’s Home built in 1911. Left of center is the Home (now site of the Grundy Library). On the right is a smokestack probably of standard pipe foundry just on Radcliffe Street near Monroe Street. -
[Bristol waterfront, view from Delaware River]
From left to right on Bristol’s waterfront (at the time of this photograph) are the Bristol Riverside Theater, First Service Bank, a house with law offices and ‘Bristol Pilot’ editor’s office, and Wachovia Bank (Iconic Columns). -
[Bristol waterfront]
On the right, is the William Doron ferry boat in its dock. Visible is the King George II Inn/Delaware House and to its left, is the Bristol House. The Bristol Wharf is visible and to its left is a storage area at the wharf. -
[Bristol Wells Fargo Bank, view from Delaware River]
The central portion was erected in 1818 as a private home by Joseph Craig. In 1833, the Farmers Bank purchased the house. In 1952, they added an extension on each side of the building. After various mergers, the bank is presently called Wells Fargo. It is Bristol’s oldest banking institution. -
[Bristol’s first Town Hall, 1831-1938, located in the center of Market Street facing Radcliffe Street]
Built in 1831 to obtain $200 that was left by Samuel Scotton, for the purchase of a “town clock.” The cost of the building was $2,700. The clock was $500, the town bell cost $156, the lot was $300, and incidental expenses were $125 totaling to $3,781. In 1938, this town hall was torn down. The building’s bell has since been exhibited on the lawn near the entrance to the municipal building at Pond and Mulberry Street.
Note: The Coca Cola sign on the wall of the building to the left of the town hall was painted over sometime after this photograph and was covered until it was rediscovered in 1999. The Coca Cola Company had it repainted in 2006 and the image was changed to a 1947 picture. -
[Bristol’s first Town Hall, 1831-1938, located in the center of Market Street facing Radcliffe Street]
Built in 1831 to obtain $200 that was left by Samuel Scotton, for the purchase of a “town clock.” The cost of the building was $2,700. The clock was $500, the town bell cost $156, the lot was $300, and incidental expenses were $125 totaling to $3,781. In 1938, this town hall was torn down. The building’s bell has since been exhibited on the lawn near the entrance to the municipal building at Pond and Mulberry Street. -
[Bristol’s first Town Hall, 1831-1938, located in the center of Market Street facing Radcliffe Street]
Decorated with American flags, Bristol Borough Police force standing on steps. -
[Broadway actress Helen Hayes, who was in town performing at the summer theater located in the former Grand Theater]
This building was at Old Route 13 at Mill Street. The background for this image was at 119 Radcliffe Street (in 1954) in front of Hazel B. Erricco Fabric Shop. Presently this location is Annabella’s Restaurant.
Note: the reflection of the Bristol Theater (Movie Theater) across Radcliffe Street. Helen Hayes became known as the “First Lady of the American Theater.” -
[Bucks County Moose Lodge No. 1169 located at the corner of Radcliffe Street and Green Lane]
The lodge for many years was located in a building at 900 Radcliffe Street. In 1995, the lodge moved to this location which was formerly the Wood Chevrolet Auto Dealership before they moved to Route 413 in Bristol Township and in 1965 was Keith Sign Company before becoming the current Moose Lodge location. -
[Burlington Island across from Bristol]
The back of this image says that it was taken on Burlington Island opposite Bristol. It is not determined exactly where on Radcliffe Street the houses in Bristol were located across the river. Burlington Island is part of New Jersey and owned by Burlington City. -
[Cesare’s Restaurant, 1407 Radcliffe Street]
Originally called Cesare’s Tomato Pies. Proprietors were John Petolillo and Louis J. Silvestro. Donald Petolillo, son of John Petolillo, is the owner as of 2003. -
[Charles or Thomas Scott, cashier of Farmer’s National Bank in horse-drawn sled]
The bank (white building with columns) is visible and to the left of the bank is the Scott home, number 220 Radcliffe Street. The photograph was taken when the Delaware River was frozen over, perhaps near the turn of the 20th century.