Historic Bristol

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 27, 2009

1. Historic Bristol Marker

Inscription. Evan Shelby, noted Indian fighter, settled here about 1765 on a tract called "Sapling Grove". His home was a neighborhood fort, the refuge of settlers in Indian attacks. Bristol grew around this place and became an early railroad center.

Erected 1927 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number K-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1765.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 35.677′ N, 82° 11.004′ W. Marker was in Bristol, Virginia. It was on 6th Street just south of State Street, on the right when traveling south. Now located inside, at the Bristol Historical Association. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8 6th Street, Bristol VA 24201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area,

in Southwest Virginia,

and in

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the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Baseball History (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Bank Street (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); 614-618 State Street (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Paramount Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Cathy DeCaterina (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); 629 State Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bristol Tennessee Post Office & Custom House (about 500 feet away in Tennessee); Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) (about 500 feet away in Tennessee).

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Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

More about this marker. This marker was retired in 2023 when it was replaced with a new marker with the same number and title. It was seen in 2025 inside at the Bristol Historical Association at No. 8 6th Street. It was visible through the storefront’s window. Until it was retired, it was pole-mounted near 36° 35.705′ N, 82° 10.828′ W, at the intersection of State Street and Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on State Street.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is the new marker that replaced this marker. This new marker is at the location the old marker was.

Also see . . .
1. Tennessee in the Revolutionary War. A biography of Evan Shelby. (Submitted on October 9, 2009.)

2. Find-A-Grave. Grave site of Evan Shelby with photos of headstones and a detailed biography. (Submitted on October 9, 2009.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,257 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photo 1. submitted on October 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the retired marker, last seen inside the Bristol Historical Association storefront at No. 8 State Street. • Can you help?