Kingsport in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Western Union Building

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 25, 2009

1. Western Union Building Marker

Inscription. Built in 1932, this building housed the Western Union telegraph company. Early residents could receive packages and send telegrams from this local office. Wires were extended from here to seven of Kingsport's industrial sites including Eastman and Blue Ridge Glass for direct dispatch and receipt of telegrams. Messenger carriers would park their fleet of bicycles in front of the store while they retrieved their deliveries.

Erected by Downtown Kingsport Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 36° 32.778′ N, 82° 33.628′ W. Marker is in Kingsport, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on Market Street near Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 E Market Street, Kingsport TN 37660, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: State Theater (a few steps from this marker); Barry Bales (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bank Of Kingsport (about 600 feet away); Kingsport Drug (about 600 feet away); Doyle Lawson (about 600 feet away); Train Depot (about 600 feet away);

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The Gem Theatre (about 700 feet away); Charles Wright (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingsport.

Western Union Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 25, 2009

2. Western Union Building

Marker is just out of view to the right in this picture.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, February 10, 2018

3. Western Union Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,173 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3. submitted on February 11, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.