SALES: In our foray into The Era’s archives, we came across what reporters at the time believed to be the first “public market” of its kind in Bradford.
The Aug. 12, 1918, edition featured a story about a precursor of today’s popular farmer’s markets.
“One hour and twenty minutes was all the time required for depletion of stocks of produce at Bradford’s initial session of a public market Saturday morning. The only unsold vegetables at that time being a surplus of cucumbers and a small general assortment of products in the wagon of a producer who did not reach the market place until 9:30.”
The sale lasted from 8 to 10 a.m.
“This first getting together on common ground of producers and ultimate consumers was pronounced a glittering success by individuals in both classes, this accomplishing the object of the experiment.
“Market days will continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays of each week. Products of the farm and garden were brought in automobiles, in light and heavy wagons of the ordinary variety, in covered wagons, in ordinary driving buggies and in baskets, the latter by one local city gardener.
“Patrons to the number of about 1,500 came equipped with baskets and sacks. It was a good-natured, jostling crowd on the whole, although the shopping spirit was displayed by many in discussions regarding prices; a few knockers were present to prophesy the ultimate failure of the plan and at least two individuals were so obnoxious in their remarks that they were expelled from the grounds. On the whole, however, complaint if any was of a jovial character and the event was generally pronounced a success.
“Vegetables, fruits and other products sold included cabbage, chard, beets, squash, cucumbers, beans, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, lettuce, turnips, peas, apples, onions, endive, tomatoes, green pumpkin chickens, eggs, butter, honey, parsley and potatoes. Many handsome collections of flowers were also disposed of.”
Prizes were awarded at this gathering — $5 first prizes for best variety, largest load and the longest haul to market; and $3 for second prizes. Allegany, N.Y., man Otto Wolfe had the largest load, with 31 bushels of potatoes.
The longest haul was given to Coryville resident R.A. Moser.
