Bedford is a city in Taylor County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,508 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County. Lake of Three Fires State Park is located several miles northeast of Bedford.
History
The community is believed to have gotten its name from Thomas J. Bedford, who was the first west bound Pony Express rider to deliver the mail on its final leg from Benicia, California to Oakland, California on April 23, 1861. Bedford is believed to have operated Bedfords Store and Trading Post in 1848 within the city limits. He moved to California later that year, in the California Gold Rush.
The community was called "Grove" when a post office was established on June 30, 1855. On June 24, 1856 it was changed to Bedford. Other histories have noted possible other sources of the name:
- Bedford in England (possible original home of early settlers)
- Bedford, Indiana (reputed home of the surveyor)
- Bedford, Pennsylvania (reputed home of a "government engineer")
The community was formally established as the county seat of Taylor County by a legislative act in 1853. The town was formally laid out on lots sold on July 4, 1853 (which at the time identified the community as "Bedforde"). According to town legend, a barrel of whiskey was placed on the grounds and lots sold for $10 to $20 - although none of the lots were paid for at the time.
The present Taylor County Courthouse was built in 1893.
Bedford was served by a branch of the Burlington Northern Railroad (formerly Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad or "CB&Q") that ran from Creston, Iowa to St. Joseph, Missouri This line was removed along with almost all the branches in southwestern Iowa and northwestern Missouri in the late 1970s to early 1980s
Bedford is also served by Iowa Highway 148 which runs north and south into Missouri, and Iowa Highway 2 runs east and west and connects most of the county seats in the southern tier of Iowa counties. There is an excellent series of farm to market road system, mostly paved, as well.
Geography
thumb|right|Bedford City Hall
250px|thumb|right|Bedford Carneige Library
Bedford is located along the East Fork of the One Hundred and Two River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bedford has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.