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Feature article
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Bristol boasts BMS, country music birthplace
By Matthew Lane
Bristol is the smallest of the three cities that make up the Tri-Cities and is a city that straddles two states, with the boundary of Tennessee and Virginia running down the middle of its downtown.
Bristol’s history dates back to the middle 18th century when John Tayloe of Richmond County sold 1,946 acres of land — called Sapling Grove — to James Patton for about nine pounds. In 1768, Patton then sold the land to Evan Shelby and Isacc Baker for 608 pounds.
The land was eventually sold to Colonel James King and Colonel John Goodson and the town was renamed Goodson. In 1856, Goodson was incorporated and renamed Bristol after the famed England town.
In 1903, the state of Tennessee ceded to the commonwealth of Virginia, the area of Bristol lying north of the center of its downtown street, and placed brass markers in the center of the newly named State Street.
Bristol is known for being the gateway to the Tennessee Valley, home of the TVA and the atom bomb and the birthplace of country music.
In 1998, Congress passed a resolution recognizing Bristol, Tenn., as the “Birthplace of Country Music” for work done at the Bristol Sessions in 1927, where famed country music performers Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family first performed.
The Birthplace of County Music Alliance, which was formed to promote Bristol’s country music heritage, has operated a country music museum for years and still works in bringing attention to the city’s legacy.
From May to October, the Bristol Farmers’ Market is open and allows local farmers to sell their produce, homemade crafts and baked goods to Twin City residents at the Downtown Center.
Probably Bristol’s greatest attraction is an event that brings in more than 170,000 people twice a year to the World Fastest Half Mile — the Bristol Motor Speedway.
In March or early April and again in August, the Bristol Motor Speedway plays host to two Nextel Cup Races — the Food City 500 and the Sharpie 500 — and two Busch races, which draw more than 170,000 people for each race weekend.
In addition to NASCAR races, BMS also plays host to NHRA drag races at Thunder Valley as well as the popular Street Fights, where from May to October local drivers can bring their cars, trucks and motorcycles to the dragstrip and compete against other local amateur drivers.
Bristol has a variety of industries and business, with some of the largest being King Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Compressors, Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, Exide Corp., GlaxoSmithKline and Royal Mouldings.
Bristol residents are served by six elementary schools, Vance Middle School and Tennessee High School — home of the Vikings.
More than 100 restaurants can be found in Bristol, from the typical fast food chains of Bojangles, McDonald’s and Burger King to more upscale national chains like Applebee’s and Shoney’s to smaller, locally owned restaurants like the State Line Grill, the Mad Greek and Dixie Dawgs.
All along State Street in downtown Bristol businesses of all sorts can be found — Antiques Unlimited, Uncle Sam’s pawn shop, William King Clothiers, Goodman Jewelers and Hester’s Heirlooms.
Bristol
2000 population -- 24,821
Total households -- 10,695
Own home -- 68%
Married couples with children -- 20%
Married couples with no children -- 30%
High school graduate or higher 76%
Bachelor’s degree or higher 17%
Per capita income $18,535
Note: Percentages have been rounded off.
Source: Census 2000
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