What I'm about to say is a real reach but it's a possibility.... after some internet sleuthing I have come up with the following theory.
Van Buren, AR is about a 10 minute drive from Fort Smith just over the Arkansas River and in the bustling metropolis of Van Buren there is a very rich history. A part of that history revolves around a building on 415 Main Street that was constructed in 1891 and was known as Wallace Block. A man by the name of H.P. King buys the property in 1898, closes and remodels the building and reopens as an opera house in 1901. By 1905 the opera house undergoes more renovation to expand and add a balcony. Meanwhile, literally a spit up the road is 402 Main Street at the corner with N. 4th street. On this corner sat for many years a hotel of some sort, going by different names as it changed owners. Originally built in 1886 as the Collins Hotel, by 1904 a fruit grower by the name of R.J. Tallman and his wife buy the property and use it as their home. By 1909 it was purchased again and reverts back to hotel use as it changed owners a few more times before the hotel buildings were demolished in the 1920s and property remained vacant until purchased in the 1940s and a new building, the Rhodes Chevy dealership is opened and eventually closed and the shell of the dealership building remains.
Back to Mr. Tallman, shortly after taking control of the old Collins Hotel and hence becoming the Tallman House, Mr. Tallman is mentioned in the newspaper "The Western Fruit Grower" St. Joseph, MO dated February 15, 1904 in which other fruit growers who may or may not have been meeting in Van Buren for a growers convention of sorts at that time, compliments Mr. Tallman for his vast amount of fruit trees and berries (6,000 peach, 1000 cherry and 25 acres of berries) and, here's where the newspaper makes a relevant comment, Mr. Tallman is mentioned as feeding a packed opera house which gave complimentary entertainment presumably for the growers convention (at least a hundred guests).
Where the name Bradley fits in, I'm not quite sure, but I would suspect that maybe before or after taking control of the old hotel in Van Buren, Mr. Tallman takes on a partner?
Furthermore, why have tokens made with the opera house mentioned as if Bradley and Tallman were the owners of the opera? I don't think it was that. I believe the possibility was to promote commerce in a small town (today the pop is only 16,000+) and maybe paying to go to the opera got you a token to use when buying fresh produce or a snack up the street at the corner fruit grower's place? Or vice versa.
Dating of the token as being early 1900s is probably accurate and as Tallman no longer had the property by 1909 it maybe within the 4-5 year window.
As I said a big reach on this one but maybe I'm right.
Neat find!
HH!
-Hunter
