Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Birthplace of Bristol
The town of Bristol was planned and laid out by Joseph Rhea Anderson in 1852. Development began on this site in 1853 with the erection of Anderson's combined home and business. The building served as the community's first store, post office, bank, and realty office. The first election, town council meeting, court session, church service, wedding, and birth took place there. Anderson is buried in East Hill Cemetery seven blocks east.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A-137.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 36° 35.691′ N, 82° 10.867′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is at the intersection of State Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, on the left when traveling west on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 420 State Street, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Country and Western Recording (here, next to this marker); Bristol (here, next to this marker); Bristol Sessions (a few steps from this marker); Mississippi Country: The Bristol Sessions (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Bristol (a few steps from this marker in Virginia); Vance Klondike Derby (within shouting distance of this marker in Virginia); Jimmie Rodgers (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Bristol (within shouting distance of this marker in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.
Another marker
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 27, 2009
2. Birthplace of Bristol Marker
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 15, 2011
4. Wide view of the Birthplace of Bristol Marker before it went missing
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024
5. Birthplace of Bristol Marker pole
In October 2024, the pole was standing while the marker was missing.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,230 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on August 8, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 5. submitted on October 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the Anderson grave site at the East Hill Cemetery as mentioned in marker text. • Can you help?
