Sonora in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bradford Building

Photographed by Liam Williams, April 25, 2026

1. Bradford Building Marker

Inscription.
One of Sonora's iconic buildings, it was constructed in 1903. S.S. Bradford died shortly before the building was completed and it was named in his honor. The first occupant downstairs was merchant Jules Michel, with Dr. R. I. Bromley occupying the second floor. In 1908, the First National Bank purchased the building. They did a major remodel of the downstairs including the beautiful copper doors. The bank occupied the north half of the downstairs, with E.E. Warne establishing a dry goods and clothing business in the south half In 1909 the Tuolumne County Club occupied the upper floor after Dr. Bromley opened his sanitarium on South Washington Street. In 1917 the Sonora Abstract and Title moved into the space formally occupied by the First National Bank. In 1920, Thomas Symons, of Hales and Symons, purchased the building and installed a flour mill in the rear portion of the building.

Erected 2024 by Matuca Chapter 1849, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 37° 59.09′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

120° 22.985′ W. Marker is in Sonora, California, in Tuolumne County. It is on Bradford Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 S Washington St, Sonora CA 95370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First Home of Wells Fargo & Company in Sonora (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Portal of the Past (about 300 feet away); Tuolumne County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Site of the First Office of The Union Democrat (about 400 feet away); Tuolumne County Albert N. Francisco Building (about 400 feet away); Original Site of the Sonora Daily

Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, May 15, 2025

2. Bradford Building Marker

(about 400 feet away); Yo-Semite House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonora.

More about this marker. The marker is to the left of the main entrance of the candy shop.

Bradford Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Frank Gunshow Sanchez, May 15, 2025

3. Bradford Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. Photos: 1. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.