History
George L. Graham – Circa 1950
Graham's Greenhouse & Landscaping has been a family owned business, operating out of Bradford Pennsylvania since 1891. The first greenhouse was started by George L. Graham as "Graham Florist and Greenhouse".
George immigrated to America from Scotland in 1885 at the age of 16. He traveled to Bradford for an apprenticeship at the “Red Rock Rosary.” Then in 1891 George built and opened his first greenhouse located at 195 Jackson Ave Extension. In addition to the Greenhouse, George had several different locations on Main Street, where he sold fresh cut flowers and plants that he grew at the greenhouse.
The Jackson Ave Greenhouse was short lived, as in 1897 a severe hailstorm struck the area and destroyed all the glass on the greenhouse along with all the plants inside it. The story has it that only 11 panes of glass were left unbroken by the storm.
After the Hailstorm, a second Greenhouse was built and operated on Seaward Ave until misfortune would strike again. In June of 1902 a boiler exploded in the Greenhouse causing considerable damage and hurling fragments of the greenhouse all over the neighborhood. Fortunately, there were no deaths caused by this explosion.
Greenhouse Boiler Explosion in June 1902
Third Greenhouse on Seaward Ave – now 219 and Kendall Ave Interchange
Not to be discouraged, George built a third greenhouse across the street from the old one, and this location stayed in operation for many years.
Many of the older generations of Bradford have fond memories of this 3rd greenhouse, not only memories of buying their flowers there every year, but also because of the "Graham's Skating Pond." The Pond was located behind the greenhouse, and the Grahams maintained it during the winter so people could ice skate on it. It started off small, but grew in popularity in the 1920's and 30's. On any given Saturday during the winter, there could be 100's of people of all ages enjoying the skating pond. Harriet Graham would sell Hot Cocoa for 5 cents, and hot dogs for 10 cents.
Ice Skating on Graham’s Pond – Circa 1920
William and Marion Graham – 2nd Generation Owners
William "Bill" Graham took over the business from his father, and continued to grow the business with the help of his wife Marion, and brother Donald.
In 1927 Bill purchased a building downtown on 9 Kennedy Street to be used for the florist shop and showroom. This location is still in operation today as “Graham Florist.”
Following Bill's untimely death at the age of 36, the business was run by his wife Marion, his brother Donald, and Bill's three sons: Malcolm, Bob, and Jack.
Donald Graham with the Florist Delivery Truck
Newspaper Article of three Graham Brothers Serving overseas in WWII
For many years Marion Graham was the lone owner and operator of the business while all three of her son's enlisted in various military services and sent overseas to serve in World War II.
Upon returning from the war, Malcolm, Bob and Jack (3rd Generation) became partners and all ran the Greenhouse and Florist shops together for about 40 years.
In 1977 Pennsylvania State Department purchased the Greenhouse and its property for the expansion of Route 219. Malcolm, Bob and Jack then built a 4th Greenhouse in its current location it is at today at 1111 East Main Street.
Bob and Malcolm in a newspaper article about Seaward Ave Properties moving for 219 Bypass
From left to right, Fred, Bill and Ben Graham
Today the business is run as "Graham's Greenhouse & Landscaping" and is owned and operated by Bill Graham (4th Generation), with the help of his two son's Ben and Fred Graham (5th Generation).
“Graham Florist” is still in operation today, as the area’s leading provider of floral arrangements. Owned and operated by Candy Tingly (4th Generation, daughter of Jack Graham), they offer beautiful cut flower arrangements and gifts for any occasion.
Graham Florist can be contacted at:
9 Kennedy St.
Bradford PA 16701
(814) 368-3186
(800) 811-7169
