Bradford started as a lumber town called Littleton, but when the oil gushed in the late 1800s, little Littleton became big Bradford, the "High-grade Oil Metropolis of the World." Bradford produced more than 630,000,000 barrels of oil from 1871 to 1967. The largest town in McKean County, Bradford showcases its industrial history at the Penn-Brad Oil Museum; oil refineries and lumber mills still operate today. But Bradford is also an educational and arts center - The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center provide culture and balance. The proximity of the Allegheny National Forest also makes the area pleasant to visit. Tourists also enjoy learning about lighters at the Zippo Visitor Center and shopping for locally made Case Cutlery.
