Bristol, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Historic Bristol

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

1. Historic Bristol Marker

Inscription. Evan Shelby settled here about 1770 on a tract called Sapling Grove and established a fort and trading post. By early in the 19th century. James King and Samuel E. Goodson owned hundreds of acres of farmland in this area. Anticipating the arrival of the railroad, King's son-in-law Joseph R. Anderson bought 100 acres from King in 1852 and laid out the town of Bristol, spanning the state line. Goodson founded an adjacent town named for himself on the Virginia side. Bristol, TN, and Goodson, VA, were each incorporated in 1856, the year the first passenger train arrived. Goodson became the City of Bristol, VA, in 1890. The community prospered as a regional center of commerce and industry.

Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-43.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 36° 35.713′ N, 82° 10.827′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

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and State Street, on the right when traveling north on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 M.L.K Jr Blvd, Bristol VA 24201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in Southwest Virginia,

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

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

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: Bristol Union Railway Station (a few steps from this marker); Vance Klondike Derby (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Bristol (within shouting distance of this

Historic Bristol Marker looking north on MLK Blvd. Bristol Union Railway Station in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

2. Historic Bristol Marker looking north on MLK Blvd. Bristol Union Railway Station in the background

marker); a different marker also named Bristol (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Birthplace of Bristol (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); First Country and Western Recording (within shouting distance of this marker in Tennessee); Bristol Sessions (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line in Tennessee). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Civil War Memorial (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Historic Bristol".

Historic Bristol Marker looking south on MLK Blvd toward State Street on the Tennessee state line. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

3. Historic Bristol Marker looking south on MLK Blvd toward State Street on the Tennessee state line.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.