Paul Bradley Jr. Collection, 1953-1985
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 6 Boxes (irregular size) 6 oversize boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Paul Bradley Jr. Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Paul Bradley Jr. Collection contains Bradley's architectural drawings dating from circa 1953 to 1985. The drawings are for residences such as houses and apartment buildings, as well as for restaurants, churches, libraries, hotels, shopping centers, offices, warehouses, and other buildings. There are also drawings for additions to existing buildings. There are 211 sets of architechtural drawings, some being multiple pages.
- Biographical / historical:
Paul Mayberry Bradley, Jr. (1922-2014) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 22, 1922. His parents moved to New Jersey where he attended Atlantic City High School. He served in the Army during World War II and trained in the Army at Camp Butner in North Carolina. Sgt. Bradley was wounded in action in a fierce battle at Oberwessel-St. Goar by German artillery fire.
He returned home in 1946, married his high school sweetheart Barbara, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
In 1950, the Bradleys moved to Broward County, where he worked as an architect. Paul Bradley worked throughout South Florida in the development and construction of public works, hotels, and subdivisions.
Paul was also an artist who specialized in pen and ink drawings; with subjects such as lighthouses, nature landscapes, military airplanes and ships as well as depictions of WWII battles. Mr. Bradley illustrated books, including "Florida Lighthouse Trail" in 2001. His artwork reached national prominence in 2003 when the Postal Service unveiled a commemorative stamped envelope emblazoned with a rendition of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse he created. Auctions of his artwork of the 30 historic lighthouses in Florida helped raise money for the restoration of this historic Lighthouse. He helped found the Florida Lighthouse Association in 1996 and served on the board from 2003 to 2007.
Paul Bradley was a Director at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association. On May 2011, NASFL Museum President Allan McElhiney presented a plaque to member Paul Bradley, in recognition for his many years of outstanding dedication and contribution to military history.
Paul Mayberry Bradley, Jr., architect and artist, died at his Wilton Manors home on January 19, 2014. He was 91.
- Acquisition information:
- Paul Bradley Jr. donated the materials to the Broward County Historical Commission on 04/16/1996 (Accession BCHA-1996.39).
- Processing information:
This collection received container level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Paul Bradley Jr. Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Paul Bradley Jr. Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library100 S. Andrews AvenueFort LauderdaleFL33301USA
