Bradley Fair
Long before Wichita shopped Bradley Fair, Wilson Estates was home to third generation oilman Ed Bradley, and his wife, Louise. When the Bradleys acquired the 320 acres east of town, the land contained many Cottonwood trees and a two-room cabin. They created Bradley Farm, a spacious and spectacular setting, which eventually became the location of many leisurely Sunday afternoon polo matches and society gatherings throughout the 1940's and ‘50's.
After a fire destroyed their home in 1953, Ed and Louise rebuilt and continued to host many gatherings for Wichita's elite. Ed Bradley died in 1969 and Louise continued to live on the estate until her death in 1977. In 1978, the Bradley's nephew, Bob Wilson Sr., and his wife, Janice, moved from their College Hill home to Bradley Farm. Also residing on the property in a separate home were Bob Jr. and his wife, Allyson. The family renamed the property Wilson Estates, breathing new life into the grand old homestead.A larger-than-life entrepreneur, Bob Sr. owned Kansas Paint Company, operating the successful family business with Bob Jr., and daughter Barbara. An avid equestrian, Bob added a stable of horses to the Wilson Estates landscape and opened a portion of the property to horse boarding in the late 1970's. Around this same time, Wilson Estates was renamed Red Brush Farms, and became the site of a nationally rated equestrian training course.Bradley Fair has become a vibrant destination, offering guests a mix of local, regional and national stores and restaurants. Unique to the center is the open-air Bradley Fair Plaza with a year-round fountain overlooking the Bradley Fair Lake and island waterfall. The Bradley Fair Plaza hosts a variety of charitable and community events including an opera performance, summer concert series and fireworks displays.
Today, the neighborhoods at Wilson Estates provide hints of the farm's history with names like Red Brush, Belmont, Preakness and Keeneland. The neighborhood is as vibrant and alive as ever, as evidenced by family gatherings and frequent social events.
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