Historical Markers and War Memorials in Sullivan County, Tennessee
Adjacent to Sullivan County, Tennessee
▶ Carter County(33) ▶ Hawkins County(30) ▶ Johnson County(7) ▶ Washington County(76) ▶ Bristol(7) ▶ Scott County, Virginia(31) ▶ Washington County, Virginia(34)
Touch name on list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Judge and Mrs. Joseph A. Caldwell
relocated the 1840 Sullivan County
smokehouse to this site shortly after
1940 when they bought and restored
the Deery Inn for their residence. — — Map (db m158060) HM
Established in 1786, this was the first Methodist Episcopal Church to be erected on Tennessee soil. Bishop Francis Asbury preached here often. A ten-day revival held here by Rev. John A. Granade began the Great Revival of 1780-81. The chapel was . . . — — Map (db m82954) HM
The log section of Anderson Townhouse was built in 1792/95. It housed the first town commissioners of Blountville: Richard Gammon (1750-1833), Major George Maxwell (1751-1821) and Colonel John Anderson (1750-1817). All these men served the American . . . — — Map (db m69801) HM WM
Here on September 22, 1863, Confederate forces commanded by Colonel James E. Carter fought a Union brigade led by John W. Foster. After delaying the Union advance for more than four hours, Carter withdrew toward Zollicoffer, now known as Bluff City. . . . — — Map (db m45822) HM
This is where Union forces stood as they attacked Blountville on September 22, 1863, during a campaign to control the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. On the day of the attack, the Confederates occupied Blountville while the Federal forces held the . . . — — Map (db m69699) HM
This is the Sullivan County Courthouse. Its interior was burned during the Union attack on Blountville on September 22, 1863, as Confederate and Federal forces vied for control of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, located a few miles east of . . . — — Map (db m69708) HM
You are in the former schoolyard of the Masonic Female Institute, where Confederate troops stood as they defended Blountville on September 22, 1863. Col. James E. Carter's 1st Tennessee Cavalry withdrew that morning of 1863 from the Watauga River to . . . — — Map (db m69806) HM
Dedicated to
the memory of the
Confederate soldiers
of
Sullivan County
Tennessee
War of 1861-65
Battle of Blountville
Sunday September 22,
1863 — — Map (db m158034) WM
William Deery built this kitchen about
1810 to serve his inn. Virginia Caldwell
described it as "tumble-down” in 1940
before the west and north walls were
reconstructed. It served as her weave
house. It is now furnished as an early
1800s . . . — — Map (db m158064) HM
Forged in Maryland by J. Regester & Sons, this bell was placed in a cupola atop the old section of the Sullivan County courthouse circa 1870, and hung there nigh 100 years.
This historic bell was mounted here on the courthouse lawn by the . . . — — Map (db m158019) HM
This military road from Chilhowee, Va. to present day Kingsport was completed September 1791 by Major Andrew Lewis under command of Col. Adam Stephen. Upon reaching the Long Island of the Holston, the militia erected Fort Robinson to treat for peace . . . — — Map (db m47541) HM
James Brigham, a pioneer and Revolutionary War
soldier, purchased 1,070 acres along Muddy Creek
in modern-day Sullivan County between 1782 and
1787. On December 11, 1792, he deeded 30 acres
to John Anderson, George Maxwell, and . . . — — Map (db m158022) HM
This 1790 log cabin was the office of the
James King Ironworks, which was located
at the junction of Beaver and Steele
Creeks near Bristol, TN. When the city
announced plans to construct its waste-
water treatment plant on the site in . . . — — Map (db m158063) HM
In September 1863, Confederate Gen. Samuel Jones’s command and Union Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside’s forces contested control of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad a few miles east. On September 22, Union Col. John W. Foster’s brigade engaged the forces . . . — — Map (db m69712) HM
Built shortly after 1785 by William Deery. Stopping place for many distinguished travelers of early days, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, the Marquis de Lafayette, Prince Louis Phillipe, Andrew Johnson and others enjoyed its hospitality. It operated . . . — — Map (db m82955) HM
Ralph Blizard, a Hall of Fame long-bow fiddler, was a pioneer entertainer on radio stations WOPI, WJHL and WKPT, at first with his high school classmates. He recorded and toured with the New Southern Ramblers across the United States and the British . . . — — Map (db m45846) HM
Sullivan County was established by the North Carolina Assembly’s October 1779 session; its north of the Holston River section formerly in Washington County, Virginia; and its south of the river section formerly in Washington County, North Carolina. . . . — — Map (db m69711) HM
Dedicated to all veterans
of Sullivan County
to the honor and glory
of those who proudly served
to keep our country a land of freedom
— — Map (db m158036) WM
The Presbyterian Church established here in 1773 is probably the first church of any denomination to be established within the borders of Tennessee. It was also used as a fort, and school was held here on Sundays, in pioneer times. — — Map (db m45658) HM
You are standing in front of the Miller-Haynes house, known as the Cannonball House because of structural damage it sustained from Union cannon fire during the Battle of Blountville on September 22, 1863. During the artillery exchanges, Confederate . . . — — Map (db m69805) HM
When first a settlement, this was called Choate's Ford. With establishment of the Abingdon, Va-Knoxville stage line, it became known as Middletown. Laid off as a town, following completion of the railroad, it became Union. Early in 1862, it was . . . — — Map (db m22907) HM
This pioneer from Maryland built the house which stands .1 mi. N., in 1773, bringing his bride here in 1775. Following his return from the Revolution, he opened his house to Methodist missionary preachers. Bishop Francis Asbury was a frequent . . . — — Map (db m80631) HM
2.1 Mi. E. on Island Park Road and on hill to left above the spring stood the residence fort of Captain Jacob Womack, who served in colonial & Revolutionary wars. Built before 1774 it served to protect nearby settlers from Indian attacks. About 1785 . . . — — Map (db m22908) HM
Tennessee AMVETS dedicates
this memorial to all veterans
living or deceased who have
honorably served their country
that freedom may reign
December 15, 2001
Governor
Don Sundquist
— — Map (db m143588) WM
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, . . . — — Map (db m22991) HM
Bristol has long been known as a hub for traditional mountain music. In the summer of 1927, Ralph Peer, a record producer from Victor Talking Machine Company, traveled to Bristol and set up a portable recording studio four blocks east of this . . . — — Map (db m24031) HM
Landmark Bridge
Between Two States
Erected 1910
Placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
By the United States Department of the Interior
September 8,1988
Marker in memory of Mattie and Jim Owens
Bristol Historical . . . — — Map (db m22993) HM
In 1927 Ralph Peer, a record producer with the Victor Talking Machine Company, set up a temporary music studio on this site. Over the next 12 days he recorded 76 songs by 19 artists, including the Stonemans, and the first recordings of Jimmie . . . — — Map (db m82956) HM
The Great Valley of Tennessee, the Southern Appalachian breadbasket, stretches from Bristol to Chattanooga and with its major turnpikes and railroads was strategically vital to both North and South during the war.
The “better half of . . . — — Map (db m143534) HM
On this site was formerly located the Bristol general Confederate Hospital. It was housed in the former Exchange Hotel erected in 1858 (later known as the Nickels House). The building was demolished in about 1898. Sick and wounded soldiers were . . . — — Map (db m157955) HM
During the Civil War, Bristol was a strategic location on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. The Confederate Medical Corps established hospitals in the town, which soon became an important medical center. Wounded soldiers were brought by rail . . . — — Map (db m82957) HM
Born in Wales, 1719, he came here about 1771. A veteran of Braddock's Campaign and Lord Dunmore's War, he commanded a successful expedition against the Chickamauga towns, 1779. Member of the North Carolina State Senate, 1781, and brigadier general . . . — — Map (db m22995) HM
This fort was erected on high ground about two blocks south, in 1771, for the protection of the pioneer settlers. From it went forces to the battles of Point Pleasant, Long Island Flats and Chickamauga Towns. Here also occurred the preliminary . . . — — Map (db m82958) HM
(North Face)
Erected August 16, 1971
Honoring
A.P. Carter
Sara Carter
Maybelle Carter
Jimmie Rodgers
Who recorded the first Country and Western music to be distributed nationwide in Bristol, Tennessee on August 2, 1927
(West . . . — — Map (db m24036) HM
1/2 mile north, in 1784, Col. James King, Revolutionary veteran who was at Yorktown, built an ironworks at the mouth of Steel's Creek. A later associate was Governor William Blount. With the King Ironworks was also the first nail factory in the . . . — — Map (db m22911) HM
Erected in 2010 in honor of Joseph Rhea Anderson (1819-1888) who founded the original Town of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee in 1852. Both sides of the town were given recognition on the official records of the time. He erected the first building in . . . — — Map (db m82959) HM
Colonel Isaac Shelby was a leader of frontier American forces resisting British rule. British officer Patrick Ferguson was aware of Shelby's presence in the area and sent out a warning, if the rebels did not desist in their opposition to British . . . — — Map (db m135593) HM
Jimmie Rodgers, known as “The Singing Brakeman” and “the Blue Yodeler,” was born in Meridian, Mississippi on September 8, 1897. After working as a brakeman for the railroad, a bout of tuberculosis forced Rodgers from the . . . — — Map (db m23145) HM
Born in a house 300 yards east of this road, Oct. 23, 1857, he held nearly every public office in his county, besides being three times member of the General Assembly. While
Speaker of the State Senate, he became Governor to succeed James B. . . . — — Map (db m157959) HM
It crosses the highway here. Originally a branch of the Great War and Trading Path, it was later an important route from Virginia to the west. The first mail route between Richmond and Washington ran over it. Many notables used it, including Andrew . . . — — Map (db m157952) HM
Located 4 miles to the east in Bristol, Tennessee. Founded in 1867 by the Reverend James King and other Presbyterian leaders to provide "a thorough classical and scientific training, combined with moral and religious instruction." Since 1915 this . . . — — Map (db m22913) HM
Ralph Peer came to Bristol in search of large personalities who would make a strong
impression on Victor's new higher fidelity recordings, and discovered one of country
music's strongest in “Blue Yodeler” Jimmie Rodgers. Jimmie's . . . — — Map (db m157957) HM
Established 1867 by the Presbyterian Church on land donated by Rev. James King “to give
the benefits of a Christian classical education to young men of limited means.”
The Rev. James Doak Tadlock, D. D., was the first President . . . — — Map (db m157954) HM
Under the massive oak 0.3 mi. SW, Col. John Pemberton assembled his command in late September, 1780 for service against the British. Joined by units from Virginia, they marched to Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga; thence the whole force, under Col. . . . — — Map (db m157949) HM
Ralph S. Peer was born in 1892 in Independence, Missouri. He grew up in the record business, working in the shop where his father sold phonographs and recordings for the Columbia Graphophone Company.
After service in WWI, as a talent scout for . . . — — Map (db m23683) HM
General Evan Shelby erected a fort here in 1771 that sheltered and protected pioneers and sent victorious forces to the battles of Point Pleasant, Long Island Flats and Chicamauga Towns
Here was conceived by Shelby, Campbell and Sevier, an . . . — — Map (db m35794) HM
The Bristol Municipal Stadium was built with funds provided by the Works Progress Administration between 1934 and 1937. The stone came from nearby Beaver Creek. A dedication ceremony was held on October 8, 1936, before the Tennessee High and Science . . . — — Map (db m45941) HM
The most heavily traveled road in Colonial America passed through here, linking areas from the Great Lakes to Augusta, GA. Laid on ancient animal and Native American Trading/Warrior Paths. Indian treaties among the Governors of NY, PA, & VA and . . . — — Map (db m158112) HM
This treaty was consummated here on July 20, 1777, following Col. Christian's subjugation of the Cherokee, who ceded to the whites a broad domain for settlement. The North Carolina and Virginia Commissioners, led by Wraightstill Avery, and the . . . — — Map (db m108172) HM
The barn built into the embankment provided a stable on the 1st level and a 2nd floor for stage coaches and wagon repair. From the early 1800's it remained in use until the 1920-30's. Reconstructed on the original site with portions of the limestone . . . — — Map (db m114013) HM
As the area began to develop, citizens began to realize that they needed a place to invest their money. As a result, the Bank of Kingsport was built in 1912. This financial institution was the first bank in the model city. It holds another place in . . . — — Map (db m23731) HM
Marching down Island Road from Eaton's Fort on July 20, 1776, the Colonial Militia crossed Eaton's Ridge to this ravine. Here they rushed the British-allied Cherokees, who were hidden behind trees, with such violence that the Indians were forced to . . . — — Map (db m76647) HM
In the area to the S.W. was fought this first battle of the Revolution in the West, July 20, 1776. Colonial Militia under Capt. James Thompson, defeated a force of Cherokees under Dragging Canoe, in a short, bloody struggle. It was also the turning . . . — — Map (db m76648) HM
On December 13, 1864 approx. 300
Confederate cavalrymen from 2nd Ky.
Cav. under Col. R. Morgan delayed the
advancing 5,500 Union cavalry under
Gen. Stoneman enroute to Saltville,
Va.. This monument is dedicated to
those brave . . . — — Map (db m108203) HM
[Inset]
On December 10, 1864, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 5,700 horse artillerists and cavalrymen east from Knoxville, Tennessee, to destroy iron-, lead-, and saltworks in Virginia that were essential to the Confederate war effort. . . . — — Map (db m108218) HM
This Kingsport landmark was designed by railroad engineer William Dunlap and refined by city planner John Nolen as an original part of the 1919 City Plan, Church Circle is one of the cornerstones of planned urban design with its "spoke and wheel" . . . — — Map (db m23724) HM
Early settlement attempt in 1761.
Permanent settlement in 1775.
The first town in the Kingsport area was laid out on his land grant in 1802 and was named Christianville.
American Revolution Patriot
Long Island Chapter
Daughters of . . . — — Map (db m114015) HM
In March 1775 Daniel Boone and a group of axmen met nearby at the Holston River and began blazing a trail through 200 miles of forested terrain to the Cumberland Gap and beyond to the Kentucky River. The Wilderness Trail, or Road, opened a new . . . — — Map (db m69694) HM
Early in 1779 Col. John Donelson's group arrived here and built 30 flatboats for 300 people to make the 1000-mile journey to settle Middle Tennessee. They embarked on their boating adventure on December 22, 1779. With an hour they wrecked at the . . . — — Map (db m108173) HM
The large spring to the northwest
was a landmark to early settlers. In
his campaign against the Cherokees,
Col. William Christian established
his first camp here on October l-4,
1776. The Double Springs Church, to
the South, was founded by . . . — — Map (db m158131) HM
(Side One)
The only school for African Americans in Kingsport began in 1913 as the Oklahoma Grove School near downtown. With Rosenwald and community funds, the first Douglass School building was constructed in 1928. A new structure was . . . — — Map (db m76645) HM
After hiding by day with his groups of recruits for the Union Army from Confederate-held Tennessee in the dense undergrowth of White Oak Flats, Captain Dan Ellis passed them into Virginia near here, then crossed North Holston River before ascending . . . — — Map (db m158069) HM
This flatboat is a model of boats that were built in the late 1700's and early 1800's on the banks of this river. These boats transported vast quantities of salt, iron ingots, animal skins, herbs such as ginseng, plaster of Paris and other items of . . . — — Map (db m114014) HM
Colonel John Donelson in his flatboat “Adventure,” leading a flotilla of about 300 people in flatboats and canoes, departed from Fort Patrick Henry on that epic voyage to the Big Salt Lick on the Cumberland River (now Nashville). The . . . — — Map (db m75912) HM
Erected near here by Lt. Col. Wm. Russell in Sept. 1776, under orders of Col. William Christian, to serve the forces then successfully campaigning against the hostile Cherokee who had become allies of the British. Capt. Wm. Winchester’s Company . . . — — Map (db m133758) HM
This building was constructed in 1915 and housed the City's first drug store. Some of the first physicians in Kingsport kept their offices and practiced medicine on the second floor. The drug store featured one of the first soda fountains in town to . . . — — Map (db m23728) HM
The Kingsport Book Club established the Kingsport Public Library in 1929. It was originally housed in the YMCA building and then moved to this site, which was the former U.S. Post Office site on Broad Street. Thomas Hastings of New York designed the . . . — — Map (db m23726) HM
The Inn was built in the early 1800's by William King and sold to Richard Netherland in 1818. The Inn was a popular Stage Coach Inn and Tavern on the Great Stage Road.
Parking and ticket sales are located at the upper parking lot. — — Map (db m114012) HM
In 1802 William King of Saltville, Virginia purchased two lots in Christianville where he built a dwelling, wharfs, warehouses and a store.
In 1818 Richard Netherland, Esquire, purchased the property and established a tavern on the Great Stage . . . — — Map (db m158080) HM
Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church was organized 1820 as the Boat Yard Congregation. It predated the incorporation of Kingsport by two years. In 1846, Dr. Frederick A. Ross built the church on his property at his expense, utilizing the labor of his . . . — — Map (db m158078) HM
Moses Cavett built the ironworks located here before 1795. Shortly after that year, John Sevier, his son and son-in-law acquired it. It was owned later by E. & E. Embree, east Tennessee ironmasters, whose Pactolus Nail Factory, located ¼ mile . . . — — Map (db m158110) HM
Built before 1835 by David Shaver, father of Samuel Shaver, an early Tennessee portrait painter. Passed to Lucinda Shaver, wife of Unionist and Tennessee State Senator (1865-69), John Welsh. Inherited by Leah Welsh and her husband, Lafayette . . . — — Map (db m82966) HM
This movie house on Broad Street first opened its doors on March 6, 1936 and continued showing films for the next forty-two years. The facility could seat 700 people and became the site of many locally produced civic and cultural events such as the . . . — — Map (db m114010) HM
Union and Confederate forces in Sullivan County
battled to control the East Tennessee & Virginia
Railroad and the Holston River, strategically vital
transportation routes for moving soldiers and
supplies. The county supported secession . . . — — Map (db m108222) HM
To the south, along the banks of the Holston River, a famous gateway to the West, the Boat Yard had a major role in the history of the South. It was the head of navigation on the Holston from 1768 to 1850, and important commercial port and the point . . . — — Map (db m69697) HM
The old Gem Theatre was one of the first buildings in downtown Kingsport. Built in 1915, this building has been used for everything from a country-western bar to a church. It was originally a movie theater that showed a variety of films including . . . — — Map (db m23733) HM
Its west end seen here in the river, the Long Island of the Holston is four miles long. Tennessee's first National Historic Landmark, it was the site of numerous Revolutionary War events. It served as a sacred Cherokee Indian island until ceded to . . . — — Map (db m108176) HM
By 1790 David Ross' ordinary at junction of Great Stage Road (Bloomingdale Pk.) & Reedy Creek Rd. (W. Sullivan St.); 1795 leased home/inn of Sheriff Wm. & Nancy McCormick; 1817 owned by Jacob & Amanda (Rose) Myers; 1854 owners, Draper then . . . — — Map (db m158106) HM
The Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Passenger Train Station, along with the adjacent Freight Depot, were built in 1916. The building's design was a product of New York architect Clinton McKenzie. Access to the railroad instantly gave Kingsport the . . . — — Map (db m23730) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m23736) HM
In 1779, James Hollis, Sr. erected this house on Island Road, Tennessee's first wagon road, built in 1761. The Sullivan County Court met here from 1780 to 1792. John Yancey purchased the home in 1782, using it for Yancey's Tavern. By the 1840s, it . . . — — Map (db m158066) HM
Located one mile south is historic Piney Flats Village. In 1854 construction of a railroad began in Piney Flats. Reverend Andrew Shell established the first post office and the name Piney Flats became official. In 1889 John Bunyan Wolfe founded . . . — — Map (db m135565) HM
300 yards to the southeast is the home of William Cobb, pioneer. First seat of government of the Southwest Territory, October 10, 1790: Governor William Blount had headquarters here till removal to Knoxville, the new capital, in 1792. Andrew Jackson . . . — — Map (db m22906) HM
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