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

Tennessee Civil War Trails

Create Some History of Your Own

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 1, 2025

1. Tennessee Civil War Trails Marker

Inscription. Welcome to Sullivan County, Tennessee! Get ready to visit small towns with big stories. Tennessee Civil War Trails tells riveting stories of battles and leaders, and much more. You'll learn about some of the state's 275,000 enslaved men and women who self-emancipated, and the 20,000 self-liberated warriors who fought for freedom in the U.S. Colored Troops.

Your explorations will take you to houses and mills that played a role in the war, and small towns and farms where families found themselves swept up in the conflict. Some communities found themselves divided over secession and slavery, causing a "war within a war" that left deep, lingering scars.

Though the state seceded and supplied 120,000 soldiers to Confederate armies, United States sentiment was also strong here, particularly in the eastern part of the state. 31,000 white Tennesseans fought for the Union, more than any other Confederate state. And more battles were fought in Tennessee than any other state except Virginia.

Enjoy scenic byways, historic main streets, rivers and railroads, and explore the fascinating stories all around you. Walk in the footsteps

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of history, and gain inspiration from the men and women who struggled through perilous times. Create some history of your own!

(captions)
“The Burning of the Bridges,” from William Barton, A Hero in Homespun (1897)
Bristol, Main Street, ca. 1900. Nichols House Hotel (left) served as a hospital during the war. Courtesy Bristol Historical Society

Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 36° 35.694′ N, 82° 14.823′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It can be reached from the intersection of Interstate 81 at milepost 320, and Gate City Highway (U.S. 58/421), on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Tennessee Welcome Center and Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10749 I-81, Bristol TN 37620, 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 1, 2025

2. Tennessee Civil War Trails Marker

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: AMVETS Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Bristol (approx. 0.4 miles away in Virginia); Steel-Seneker Houses (approx. 2.2 miles away); Ralph S. Peer (approx. 3.3 miles away); Bristol, Tenn-VA/Birthplace/Country Music (approx. 3.3 miles away); Solar Hill/Sycamore Street (approx. 3.4 miles away in Virginia); King/Lancaster/McCoy/Mitchell House (approx. 3.4 miles away in Virginia); Oak Street (approx. 3.4 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Other markers no longer nearby. Civil War In Tennessee (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker

Paid Advertisement

now near it); Birthplace of Country Music (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old CWT Marker At This Location titled "Civil War In Tennessee".

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on June 14, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.