Bristol, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bristol, Virginia
Independent city
State Street in downtown Bristol, Tennessee (left) and Bristol, Virginia (right)
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Birthplace of Country Music
Motto(s):  A Good Place to Live
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Independent city
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• Total	13.00 sq mi (33.66 km2)
• Land	12.87 sq mi (33.34 km2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.32 km2)
Elevation	1,680 ft (512 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,219
• Density	1,324.5/sq mi (511.56/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	24201, 24202
Area code(s)	276
FIPS code	51-09816
GNIS feature ID	1492633

Bristol is a city in Virginia, United States. It's special because it's an "independent city," meaning it's not part of a larger county. In 2020, about 17,219 people lived there. Bristol is known as a "twin city" with Bristol, Tennessee. The border between Virginia and Tennessee actually runs right down the middle of its main street, State Street! The city is also part of a larger area called the Tri-Cities region.

History of Bristol, Virginia

The famous Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Slogan Sign.

The Bristol area was first explored around 1765 by a man named Evan Shelby. In 1766, Shelby and his family settled in a place called Big Camp Meet. Legend says that Cherokee Indians once lived there. They named the spot because many deer and buffalo gathered there to eat. Shelby later renamed the area Sapling Grove. This name was later changed to Bristol.

In 1774, Evan Shelby built a fort on a hill overlooking what is now downtown Bristol. This fort, called Shelby's Station, was a trading post and a safe stop for travelers. Famous explorers like Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark used it. Hundreds of pioneers also stopped there on their way to settle new parts of the country.

Around the mid-1800s, two railroad lines were planned to meet at the Virginia-Tennessee state line. Joseph R. Anderson, who owned much of the land, designed the first town of Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia. Building started in 1853.

Another man, Samuel Goodson, owned land next to Bristol. He started his own development called Goodsonville. Because Bristol was split by the state line, it was hard to make it one official town. So, in 1856, Goodsonville and the Virginia part of Bristol joined together. They formed a new town called Goodson, Virginia.

Both Bristol, Tennessee, and Goodson, Virginia, officially became towns in 1856. Railroads reached both cities later that year. Even though there were two different train stations, the one in Goodson was still called Bristol, Virginia. In 1890, Goodson, Virginia, officially changed its name back to Bristol.

Geography and Location

State Street separates Virginia (left) and Tennessee (right).

A double yellow line on State Street shows the border between Virginia and Tennessee.

Bristol is located in the southwestern part of Virginia. It shares its southern border with Bristol, Tennessee. On its other sides (west, north, and east), it is surrounded by Washington County, Virginia.

The city covers about 13 square miles (33.7 square kilometers) of land. A small amount, about 0.12 square miles (0.4 square kilometers), is water. Two small streams, Little Creek and Beaver Creek, flow through the city. Beaver Creek eventually flows into the South Fork Holston River.

Getting Around Bristol

Bristol is easy to reach by major roads. I-81 passes nearby, connecting Bristol to Roanoke (about 149 miles northeast) and Knoxville (about 113 miles southwest). There's also a shorter highway, I-381, that connects directly to Bristol from I-81.

Several U.S. Routes also run through Bristol. These include US 11, US 19, US 58, and US 421. These roads help people travel to nearby towns and cities like Abingdon, Virginia, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Johnson City, Tennessee.

Bristol's Climate

Bristol has a mild climate, often described as a marine west coast climate. This means it usually has warm summers and cool winters, with rain spread throughout the year.

Population of Bristol

The population of Bristol has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown and changed according to the U.S. Census:

Who Lives in Bristol?

The 2020 census shows the different groups of people living in Bristol. This table breaks down the population by race and ethnicity:

Economy and Jobs

Bristol has a variety of businesses that provide jobs for its residents. Here are some of the largest employers in the city:

Top Employers in Bristol

Culture and Music

Bristol is famous for its unique cultural heritage, especially its connection to music.

The "Birthplace of Country Music"

The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival in 2021.

In 1998, the U.S. Congress officially recognized Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music." This is because many early country music recordings and artists came from this area. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is located in Bristol.

A big moment for country music happened in 1927. A record producer named Ralph Peer came to Bristol. He wanted to record local musicians to capture the traditional "folk" music sound of the region. One of the most famous groups he recorded was the Carter Family. They traveled from Maces Spring, Virginia, to Bristol to audition for Peer. They earned $50 for each song they recorded, helping to start their amazing career.

Even famous musicians passed through Bristol. On January 1, 1953, country music legend Hank Williams stopped in Bristol shortly before he passed away.

Since 1994, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance has worked to promote Bristol. They want people to learn about the region's history and its important role in creating country music. They are also building a new Cultural Heritage Center to teach the public even more.

Sports in Bristol

Bristol has a history with professional sports, especially baseball and racing.

Bristol used to host the Bristol Pirates baseball team. They were part of the Appalachian League from 1969 to 2020. Now, a new team called the Bristol State Liners plays in the same league. This league is for college baseball players.

On the Tennessee side of Bristol, you'll find Bristol Motor Speedway. This famous racetrack is known as the "world's fastest half mile." It hosts big NASCAR Cup Series races and other exciting racing events. The complex also has the Bristol Dragway, which is nicknamed "Thunder Valley" because the engine noise echoes loudly off the surrounding hills.

Education in Bristol

Bristol is a great place for music education. In 2007 and 2008, it was named one of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education."

The city's public school system, Bristol Virginia Public Schools, includes:

• Virginia High School
• Virginia Middle School
• Virginia Primary School (an elementary school)

There are also three private schools in the city: St. Anne Catholic, Sullins Academy, and Morrison. Bristol was once home to two colleges, Sullins College and Virginia Intermont College, but they have since closed.

Media in Bristol

Bristol has several ways for people to get their news and entertainment.

Television Stations

• WCYB-TV (NBC Channel 5)
• WEMT-TV (Fox Channel 39)
• WJHL-TV (CBS Channel 11; ABC on DT2)

Newspaper

• Bristol Herald Courier

Radio Stations

Technology and Internet

Bristol, Virginia, has a very advanced internet network for a city its size.

In the late 1990s, BVU Authority (a local utility company) started planning to bring super-fast internet to the city. By 2001, they got approval to build a special network called Fiber to the premises (FTTP). This network uses fiber optic cables to deliver internet, TV, and phone services directly to homes. It was one of the first projects of its kind in the United States.

In 2003, BVU created a non-profit part of its company called "Optinet." This service brought municipal broadband internet to Bristol and other parts of Southwest Virginia. BVU was recognized as the first utility in the U.S. to offer all three services (video, voice, and data) using an all-fiber network.

Optinet received money from the government to expand its fiber network. This helped connect more businesses and institutions like schools and hospitals. It also created new jobs in the area. Bristol's twin city in Tennessee also built a similar fiber optic system.

In 2018, BVU Authority sold its OptiNet network to a private company called Sunset Digital. Sunset Digital also hired many of BVU's employees.

Transportation Options

The Bristol train station in 2009.

Bristol has several ways for people to travel in and out of the city.

Air Travel

The closest airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. It's about 19 miles southwest of Bristol and serves many passengers each year.

Highways

As mentioned before, U.S. Route 11, U.S. Route 19, and U.S. Route 421 all run through Bristol. Interstate 81 is also nearby, connecting travelers to larger cities like Roanoke and Knoxville.

Train Service

Historically, train lines like the Southern Railway ran through Bristol, stopping at the Bristol station.

There's been interest in bringing Amtrak passenger train service back to Bristol. Studies have shown it could work, but it would need improvements to the train tracks. Leaders in Virginia have said that extending Amtrak service to Bristol would be a good next step for the state's transportation.

Famous People from Bristol

• Robert E. Clay (1875–1961), an important educator.
• Jim Crockett, Sr. (1908-1973), a wrestling promoter.
• Kelly Denton (born 1973), a racing car driver.
• Bud Phillips (1929–2017), an author and historian.
• Gene McEver (1908-1985), an American football player and coach.
• Beattie Feathers (1909-1979), an American football player and coach.

See also

In Spanish: Bristol (Virginia) para niños