by Hodges Private Client Team, on Jul 22, 2021
The Mayor Bradford House, located at 2905 Maple Avenue, was once home to Dallas Mayor and entrepreneur Thomas L. Bradford. Hodges established its headquarters in the historic mansion in 1995 and continues its operations there currently.
From Past to Present
The first public record of 2905 Maple was in 1908 indicating that Thomas Bradford, a successful local grocer, lived at the residence. In 1914 Bradford sold his successful chain of local grocery stores and began a new career at Southwestern Life Insurance Group where he worked his way up the ranks and eventually was promoted to Chairman of the Board. In 1929 Bradford built the Bradford Memorial Hospital which is now Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. He moved out of the mansion in 1930 and was elected mayor of Dallas in 1931. Even though he never was mayor while living at 2905 Maple, he did live most of his adult life at this residence. The property was sold in late 1930 to the Catholic Women’s League of Dallas. The St. Rita’s home, a refuge for young professional women, was established by the Catholics Women's League in 1931 and occupied the building for almost 40 years. From 1971 to 1994 the mansion was home to a variety of small businesses and also sat vacant for many years. In 1995 Don Hodges, Hodges Capital Founder and Chairman, bought the mansion and wanted to preserve it back to its original state. After a long and meticulous renovation process, the mansion was restored to the way it looked in the early 1900s. The mansion is decorated with priceless antiquities and paintings which enhance and complement the architectural aspects and ambience of the historical structure. From its vibrant walnut paneling to the spectacular grand staircase, the Bradford Mansion is an iconic Dallas landmark that is now home to a trusted Dallas company, Hodges Capital.
Historical Marker
Thomas L. Bradford, who built this home by 1907, was a mayor, capitalist and philanthropist. Born in Louisiana in 1869, he moved to Dallas in the 1890s and became an entrepreneur before working in Southwestern Life Insurance Company’s finance department, guiding the company’s impressive growth and becoming chairman of the board in 1930. In 1929, Bradford donated funds for a newborn baby center, which merged with three other hospitals in 1948 to form Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, part of which became Bradford Memorial Hospital. In 1931, the Dallas City Council appointed him Mayor. Bradford died the next year, ending a life of public service and commercial success in Dallas.
