Bradley County

Bradley County consists of rolling hills in two valleys at the base of the Smoky Mountains. In 1711, the Yuchi Indians and their land fell to the Cherokee Indians, who inhabited the area until their land was ceded to the county in the Treaty of Echota in 1836. The county was named for Col. Edward Bradley, a friend of Andrew Jackson and veteran of the War of 1812. While agriculture dominated the local economy well into the 19th century, a diverse industrial base grew to employ thousands and bring prosperity to the county. Religion has also been important to Bradley County, as it is home to seven denominations' international headquarters. Images explore the county seat of Cleveland as well as Charleston, Tasso, McDonald, Georgetown, Flint Springs, and other communities.

Robert L. George is Cleveland's city historian, past president of the Bradley County Historical Society, and editor of their journal, The Chronicles. He is the author of Images of America: Cleveland and Strawberry Time in Bradley County, Tennessee: 1910-1990. Mitchell T. Kinder is a lifelong resident of Bradley County. He is the current president of the Bradley County Historical Society and is a committee member at the Museum at Five Points.