Introduction to Bristol, Virginia
Bristol, Virginia is 22 miles NE of Johnson City, Tennessee (center to center) and 121 miles NW of Charlotte, North Carolina. The city benefits from easy access to the nearby cities and towns with which it shares the Johnson City - Kingsport - Bristol metropolitan area.
Bristol History
Bristol originally went by the name Goodson. Initially, it was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. In the 1700s, Scotch-Irish pioneers settled in this region. The community came into existence in the early 1800s when a railway survey was re-routed into this region which was then located on a tract of land called Sapling Grove. It is the twin city of Bristol, Tennessee, and is located directly on the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Bristol is also known as the "Birthplace of Country Music," with the first commercial country music recordings organized in 1927 by Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company.
Bristol and nearby Attractions
- J F Hicks Memorial Library
- Birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area
- Literacy Academy of Bristol
- Eastern Park
- Clear Creek Lake
Things To Do In Bristol
While in Bristol, one can visit the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area which is a reconstructed fort on the Watauga river. The birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford is also close by. The city’s public libraries provide a host of valuable information about the regional history and culture. Bristol also has a number of reservoirs and creeks that are worth visiting. Among these are Clear Creek Lake, Beaver Creek Lake, Goose Creek, and the Susong Branch. The Eastern Park, Randolph Field, and Mumpower Park are places where one can enjoy a variety of sports and other physical activities. The Literacy Academy of Bristol hosts a number of cultural events and functions. The Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival is celebrated in the city every year.
Bristol Transportation
Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport is close by.
Bristol Higher Education
Residents of Bristol can enroll at Virginia Intermont College or Graham Bible College. Other higher educational institutes nearby include Northeast State Technical Community College and East Tennessee State University.