Bristol, Virginia

This article is about the southwest Virginia city of Bristol. For the northern town of Bristow, see Bristow, Virginia. For other uses, see Bristol (disambiguation).

Bristol, Virginia
Independent city
State Street in downtown Bristol, Tennessee (left) and Bristol, Virginia (right)
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname:  The Birthplace of Country Music
Motto:  A Good Place to Live
Coordinates: 36°36′N82°11′W / 36.600°N 82.183°W / 36.600; -82.183
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Independent city
Government
• Type	Council-manager
• Mayor	Becky Nave
• Vice Mayor	Jake Holmes
• City Manager	Randall C. Eads
Area [1]
• 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	1,300/sq mi (510/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	24201, 24202
Area code	276
FIPS code	51-09816 [2]
GNIS feature ID	1492633 [3]
Website	www.bristolva.org

Bristol is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,219. ^[4] It is the twin city of Bristol, Tennessee, just across the state line, which runs down the middle of its main street, State Street. It is surrounded on three sides by Washington County, Virginia, which is combined with the city for statistical purposes. It is a principal city in the Kingsport–Bristol metropolitan area, which had a population of 307,614 in 2020. ^[5] The metro area is a component of the larger Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia, with a population of 508,260 in 2020.

History

Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Slogan Sign

Evan Shelby first appeared in what is now the Bristol area around 1765. In 1766, Shelby moved his family and settled at a place called Big Camp Meet (now Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia). It is said that Cherokee Indians once inhabited the area and the Indian village was named, according to legend, because numerous deer and buffalo met here to feast in the canebrakes. Shelby renamed the site Sapling Grove (which would later be changed to Bristol). In 1774, Shelby erected a fort on a hill overlooking what is now downtown Bristol. It was an important stopping-off place for notables such as Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark, as well as hundreds of pioneers' en route to the interior of the developing nation. This fort, known as Shelby's Station was actually a combination trading post, way station, and stockade. ^[6]

By the mid-nineteenth century, when surveyors projected a junction of two railroad lines at the Virginia-Tennessee state line, Reverend James King conveyed much of his acreage to his son-in-law, Joseph R. Anderson. Anderson laid out the original town of Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia and building began in 1853. ^[6]

Samuel Goodson, who owned land that adjoined the original town of Bristol TN/VA at its northern boundary (Beaver Creek was the dividing line), started a development known as Goodsonville. Anderson was unable to incorporate Bristol across the state lines of Tennessee and Virginia. In 1856, Goodsonville and the original Bristol, Virginia were merged to form the composite town of Goodson, Virginia. ^[6]

Incorporation for Bristol, Tennessee and Goodson, Virginia occurred in 1856. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroads reached the cities in the late summer of 1856. Due to having two different railroads companies, two depots served the cities; one in Bristol, Tenn. and the other in Goodson, Va. However, the depot located in Goodson continued to be referred to as Bristol, Virginia. In 1890, Goodson, Virginia once again took the name Bristol. ^[6]

The Grove, Solar Hill Historic District, and Walnut Grove are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[7]

Geography

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

Double yellow line on State Street, separating Virginia from Tennessee with a bronze marker embedded in pavement.

Bristol is in southwestern Virginia. ^[8] It is bordered to the west, north, and east by Washington County, Virginia, and to the south by the city of Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34.1 km²), of which 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km²), or 1.07%, is water. ^[9] Little Creek and Beaver Creek flow south through the city; Little Creek flows into Beaver Creek two blocks south of the state line in Tennessee. Beaver Creek is a tributary of the South Fork Holston River.

The city is served by Interstates 81 and 381, and by U.S. Routes 11, 19, 58, and 421. I-81 leads northeast 149 miles (240 km) to Roanoke, Virginia, and southwest 113 miles (182 km) to Knoxville, Tennessee. Interstate 381 (I-381) is a spur from Interstate 81 that provides access to Bristol, Virginia, United States. It runs for 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) from the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue (State Route 381) and Keys/Church Streets in Bristol at exit 0 north to Interstate 81. The I-81 interchange, the only one on I-381, is signed as exits 1A (I-81 north) and 1B (I-81 south). US 11 and US 19, running parallel to I-81, lead northeast 15 miles (24 km) to Abingdon, Virginia. US 11 splits into routes 11W and 11E in Bristol; US 11W leads west-southwest 23 miles (37 km) to Kingsport, Tennessee, while US 11E and US 19 lead south-southwest 25 miles (40 km) to Johnson City, Tennessee. US 58 runs with I-81 northeast for 17 miles (27 km) before splitting off to the east just beyond Abingdon; US 58 and 421 together lead west 27 miles (43 km) to Weber City, Virginia. US 421 leads southeast 33 miles (53 km) to Mountain City, Tennessee.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Bristol has a marine west coast climate abbreviated as Cfb. ^[10]

Climate data for Bristol-Johnson City Area (1991-2020 normals)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	46.5 (8.1)	50.9 (10.5)	59.4 (15.2)	69.4 (20.8)	77.1 (25.1)	83.8 (28.8)	86.4 (30.2)	85.8 (29.9)	80.7 (27.1)	70.2 (21.2)	58.7 (14.8)	49.5 (9.7)	68.2 (20.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	36.4 (2.4)	40.0 (4.4)	47.4 (8.6)	56.4 (13.6)	64.7 (18.2)	72.3 (22.4)	75.6 (24.2)	74.5 (23.6)	68.6 (20.3)	57.3 (14.1)	46.4 (8.0)	39.3 (4.1)	56.6 (13.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	26.3 (−3.2)	29.2 (−1.6)	35.4 (1.9)	43.3 (6.3)	52.3 (11.3)	60.7 (15.9)	64.7 (18.2)	63.2 (17.3)	56.4 (13.6)	44.3 (6.8)	34.2 (1.2)	29.2 (−1.6)	44.9 (7.2)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.65 (93)	3.81 (97)	3.96 (101)	3.79 (96)	3.82 (97)	3.92 (100)	5 (130)	3.76 (96)	2.84 (72)	2.52 (64)	3.14 (80)	3.76 (96)	43.97 (1,122)
Source: NOAA [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	1,562		—
1890	2,902		85.8%
1900	4,579		57.8%
1910	6,247		36.4%
1920	6,729		7.7%
1930	8,840		31.4%
1940	9,768		10.5%
1950	15,954		63.3%
1960	17,144		7.5%
1970	14,857		−13.3%
1980	19,042		28.2%
1990	18,426		−3.2%
2000	17,367		−5.7%
2010	17,835		2.7%
2020	17,219		−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [12] 1790-1960 [13] 1900-1990 [14] 1990-2000 [15] 2010 [16] 2020 [17]

2020 census

Bristol city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2010 [16]	Pop 2020 [17]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	16,099	14,652	90.27%	85.09%
Black or African American alone (NH)	1,000	1,008	5.61%	5.85%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	49	55	0.27%	0.32%
Asian alone (NH)	121	159	0.68%	0.92%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	4	4	0.02%	0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	24	36	0.13%	0.21%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)	317	850	1.78%	4.94%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	221	455	1.24%	2.64%
Total	17,835	17,219	100.00%	100.00%

2000 census

As of the census ^[18] of 2000, there were 17,367 people, 7,678 households, and 4,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,346.4 inhabitants per square mile (519.8/km²). There were 8,469 housing units at an average density of 656.6 units per square mile (253.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.54% White, 5.57% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,678 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,389, and the median income for a family was $34,266. Males had a median income of $28,420 versus $20,967 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,311. About 13.2% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Top employers

According to Bristol's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, ^[19] the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	City of Bristol	676
2	Electro-Mechanical Corporation	600
3	OfficeMax	500
4	Sprint PCS	428
5	US Solutions	367
6	Strongwell	350
7	Commonwealth of Virginia	250
8	Shearer's Foods	225
9	Ball	218
10	Aerus	201
11	United Parcel Service	193

Culture

"Birthplace of Country Music"

2021 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival

Bristol was recognized as the "Birthplace of Country Music", according to a resolution passed by the US Congress in 1998; ^[20] residents of the city had contributed to early country music recordings and influence, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is located in Bristol.

In 1927 record producer Ralph Peer of Victor Records began recording local musicians in Bristol to attempt to capture the local sound of traditional "folk" music of the region. One of these local sounds was created by the Carter Family. The Carter Family got their start on July 31, 1927, when A.P. Carter and his family journeyed from Maces Spring, Virginia, to Bristol, Tennessee, to audition for Peer who was seeking new talent for the relatively embryonic recording industry. They received $50 for each song they recorded.

On the early hours of January 1, 1953, Hank Williams stopped in Bristol during some of the last moments of his life. He was being driven to a concert in Canton, Ohio by Charles Carr. Carr stopped outside a hamburger joint today named Burger Bar and asked Williams if he wanted to eat, to which Williams responded negatively. ^[21]

Since 1994, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance has promoted the city as a destination to learn about the history of the region and its role in the creation of an entire music genre. The Alliance is organizing the building of a new Cultural Heritage Center to help educate the public about the history of country music in the region. ^[22]

Professional sports

Bristol hosted the Bristol Pirates baseball team of the Appalachian League from 1969 to 2020. In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Pirates were replaced by a new franchise named the Bristol State Liners ^[23] in the revamped league designed for rising college freshman and sophomores. ^[24]

Former NASCAR driver Kelly Denton is from the city.

On the Tennessee side, Bristol is home to Bristol Motor Speedway, the "world's fastest half mile", which hosts two NASCAR CUP SERIES races, two races per year on the NASCAR Xfinity Series and one race per year on the GANDER RV and OUTDOORS Truck Series, and various other racing events. The complex includes the Bristol Dragway, nicknamed "Thunder Valley", referencing the hills that echo the engine noise back toward the crowd.

Government

United States presidential election results for Bristol, Virginia ^[25]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	5,347	68.50%	2,313	29.63%	146	1.87%
2016	4,892	69.62%	1,835	26.11%	300	4.27%
2012	4,780	64.71%	2,492	33.73%	115	1.56%
2008	4,579	62.22%	2,665	36.21%	115	1.56%
2004	4,275	63.58%	2,400	35.69%	49	0.73%
2000	3,495	55.66%	2,646	42.14%	138	2.20%
1996	2,983	49.50%	2,586	42.91%	457	7.58%
1992	3,616	48.46%	2,948	39.51%	898	12.03%
1988	4,407	63.92%	2,446	35.47%	42	0.61%
1984	5,012	67.11%	2,429	32.53%	27	0.36%
1980	3,432	52.68%	2,889	44.34%	194	2.98%
1976	2,943	46.27%	3,343	52.55%	75	1.18%
1972	2,665	68.46%	1,157	29.72%	71	1.82%
1968	1,930	44.09%	1,531	34.98%	916	20.93%
1964	1,289	34.62%	2,429	65.24%	5	0.13%
1960	1,728	52.38%	1,561	47.32%	10	0.30%
1956	1,794	51.89%	1,645	47.58%	18	0.52%
1952	1,574	52.31%	1,432	47.59%	3	0.10%
1948	879	35.70%	1,451	58.94%	132	5.36%
1944	628	28.57%	1,561	71.02%	9	0.41%
1940	423	22.22%	1,465	76.94%	16	0.84%
1936	311	18.49%	1,364	81.09%	7	0.42%
1932	307	19.39%	1,252	79.09%	24	1.52%
1928	630	40.59%	922	59.41%	0	0.00%
1924	440	29.22%	1,036	68.79%	30	1.99%
1920	344	30.34%	784	69.14%	6	0.53%
1916	184	27.18%	489	72.23%	4	0.59%
1912	86	15.19%	405	71.55%	75	13.25%
1908	187	31.22%	405	67.61%	7	1.17%
1904	133	30.02%	297	67.04%	13	2.93%
1900	281	25.99%	787	72.80%	13	1.20%
1896	384	46.55%	413	50.06%	28	3.39%
1892	235	32.82%	465	64.94%	16	2.23%

January 3, 2024 to January 3, 2025:

Government

• Mayor: Becky Nave
• Vice Mayor: Jake Holmes
• Council Member: Anthony Farnum
• Council Member: Neal Osborne
• Council Member: Michael Pollard
• City Manager: Randall C. Eads
• City Attorney: Randall C. Eads
• Clerk of Court: Kelly Duffy (I)
• Commissioner of Revenue: Cloe Eva Barker (D)
• Commonwealth's Attorney: Jerry Wolfe (R)
• Sheriff: Tyrone Foster (I)
• Treasurer: Angel Britt (R)

Past mayors

Bristol City Hall

• James F. Rector, 1984-92, 2007-10
• Jerry Wolfe, 1992-97, 2000-01, 2003-04
• Farham Jarrard, 1997-00, 2006-07
• Douglas R. Weberling, 2001-03, 2005-06
• Paul W. Hurley, 2004-05
• Don Ashley, 2010-11
• Ed Harlow, 2011-12
• Jim Steele, 2012-13
• Guy Odum, 2013-14
• Catherine Brillhart, 2014-15 (first female mayor) ^[26]
• Archie Hubbard, III, 2015-16
• Bill Hartley, 2016-17, 2020-21
• Kevin Mumpower, 2017-19
• Neal Osborne, 2019-20, 2023-24
• Anthony Farnum, 2021-23

Police

Bristol Police Department
Abbreviation	BPD
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Bristol, Virginia, United States
General nature	Local civilian police
Operational structure
Sworn members	53
Unsworn members	21
Agency executive	John S. Austin, Chief
Website
[website]

Bristol is served by two law enforcement agencies: the city police and the city sheriff's department. Supporting the department is the city's E-911 Central Dispatch Emergency Communication Center which provides call taking and dispatch service for police, fire and EMS needs.

Education

In 2007 and 2008, Bristol was named one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education ^{[27] [28]}

The city school division, Bristol Virginia Public Schools, operates Virginia High School and Virginia Middle School, together with four elementary schools: Highland View, Stonewall Jackson, Van Pelt, and Washington Lee. Three private schools — St. Anne Catholic, Sullins Academy, and Morrison — are operated within the city. Bristol was formerly home to two post-secondary institutions, Sullins College and Virginia Intermont College, but these colleges closed in 1978 and 2014 respectively.

School Board Members:

• Chair: Randy Alvis
• Vice Chair: Breanne Forbes Hubbard
• Member: Steve Fletcher
• Member: Frank Goodpasture, III
• Member: Vanessa Guffey
• Superintendent: David Scott

Media

Television:

• WCYB-TV in Bristol, VA (NBC Channel 5)
• WEMT-TV in Bristol, VA (Fox Channel 39)
• WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN (CBS Channel 11; ABC on DT2)

Newspaper:

• Bristol Herald Courier

Radio:

• WEXX 99.3 FM
• WAEZ 94.9 FM
• WXBQ 96.9 FM
• WKJV 106.5 FM
• WZAP 690 AM
• WWTB 980 AM
• WOPI 1490 AM
• WIGN 1550 AM
• WBCM-LP 100.1

Technology

Despite its relatively small size, Bristol, Virginia, boasts one of the more advanced broadband networks in the country. ^[29] BVU Authority (formerly Bristol Virginia Utilities or BVU) ^[30] started planning a fiber optic deployment in the city in the late 1990s. By 2001, BVU had been granted approval by the city council for a full deployment of a Fiber to the premises (FTTP or FTTU, fiber to the user) project. This project was to offer competition to local incumbents and provide broadband Internet, cable TV, and telephone service to the residents of Bristol. This deployment was one of the first of its kind in the United States and was widely watched by the telecommunications industry. A system known as Passive optical network (PON) was successfully deployed to over 6,000 customers in a matter of two years.

In 2003, in the relatively isolated city of Bristol, Virginia, BVU, created a nonprofit division called "Optinet", a municipal broadband Internet service that covers Bristol as well as the Southwest portion of the state of Virginia. Serving around 12,500 customers, ^[31] BVU is recognized as the "first municipal utility in the United States to deploy an all-fiber network offering the triple play of video, voice and data services". ^[31] On October 29, 2009, BVU received US$3.5 million in grant funding from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. ^[32] With these funds BVU will build "an additional 49 miles of its OptiNet fiber-optic backbone from Abingdon up I-81 to Virginia Route 16 from Marion into Grayson County". ^[32] This will also allow for BVU to make a second connection with Mid Atlantic Broadband, increasing communication between different businesses in Northern Virginia. The Virginia Tobacco Community funded this project because it provided their business with more connections in crucial areas of the southwest and southern part of Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Commerce also funded BVU. On July 3, 2010, it was reported that they gave US$22.7 million in stimulus funds to Southwest Virginia to create a "388-mile optic backbone through an eight-county region". This project will service over 120 institutions, such as schools, hospitals, government buildings, and many more besides. ^[33] This new municipals broadband service will also be within a two-mile distance of over 500 different businesses. ^[33] This project also created 295 new jobs. ^[33] BVU Optinet continues operate a strong municipal broadband Internet service for Bristol and many other counties in Virginia.

Bristol's twin city in Tennessee has deployed an FTTP system similar to its neighbor across the state line.

On August 2, 2018, BVU Authority completed a sale of the OptiNet FTTP network to a private company, Sunset Digital of Duffield, Virginia for $50 M. ^[34] The sale began in late 2015 and was publicly announced in early 2016. Along with the sale of OptiNet, BVU's joint network with Cumberland Plateau Co. was sold to Sunset Digital. In addition to the network assets, Sunset agreed to hire approximately 75 BVU employees from BVU. ^[35]

Transportation

Bristol station

Air transport

The Tri-Cities Regional Airport, with approximately 195,000 annual passengers, is 19 miles to the southwest of Bristol. ^[36]

Highways

U.S. Route 11, U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 421 run through the city.

In the vicinity, to the northwest, is Interstate 81, which takes travelers northward to Roanoke, about 150 miles (240 km) away and southward to Knoxville about 113 miles (182 km) to the south. Nashville is 293 miles (472 km) southwest.

Rail

Until 1970 the Southern Railway ran a couple of trains through the city, making stops at Bristol station, the last trains being the Birmingham Special and the Pelican. Until 1968 the Memphis-bound Tennessean made a stop in the city.

A local coalition began advocating for Amtrak service around 2010, and local interest grew following the extension of Northeast Regional service to Roanoke in 2017. A study in 2019 concluded that a further extension to Bristol via Wytheville and Christiansburg could be financially viable but would require $30 million in track improvements between Bristol and Roanoke. In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam described Amtrak service to Bristol as a "logical step" but said that it would be conditional upon the replacement of the Long Bridge with a higher-throughput rail crossing of the Potomac River. ^[37]

Notable people

• Robert E. Clay (1875–1961), educator
• Kelly Denton (born 1973), racing driver
• Bud Phillips (1929–2017), author and historian

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol, Virginia

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Bristol city, Bristol city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
5. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. August 12, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
6. "The History of Bristol". Discover Bristol. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
8. "Gazetteer Files". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
9. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bristol city, Virginia". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved August 20, 2015.^{[ dead link ]}
10. "Bristol, Tennessee Koppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
11. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
12. "Census of Population and Housing from 1790". US Census Bureau . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
16. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bristol city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Bristol city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau .
18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
19. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 31, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
20. Phillips, V.N. (Bud) (2006). A good place to live : Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia. Johnson City, Tenn.: Overmountain Press. p. 211. ISBN   9781570723148 . Retrieved June 14, 2016.
21. Staff, VICE (February 28, 2017). "Inside the Burger Restaurant Where Hank Williams Uttered His Last Words". Vice. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
22. "Birthplace of Country Music" . Retrieved April 16, 2015.
23. "Bristol State Liners announced as newest entry in Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
24. "MLB, USA Baseball Announce New Format for Appalachian League". Major League Baseball. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
25. David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
26. "Brillhart named Bristol, Virginia mayor". HeraldCourier.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
27. "American Music Conference". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
28. "NAMM Foundation Names the 'Best Communities for Music Education' — NAMM, the International Music Products Association". Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
29. "Broadband at the Speed of Light". Institute for Local Self-Reliance. April 9, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
30. "Virginia SCC - Division of Public Utility Registration". SCC of Virginia. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
31. "Bristol Virginia utilities: about us". Bvu-optinet.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
32. "Bristol Virginia Utilities receives $3.5 million for broadband construction". www.lightwaveonline.com. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
33. Telegraph, CHARLES OWENSBluefield Daily. "Stimulus funding to stretch broadband through 8 Va. counties". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
34. McGee, David. "Sunset, BVU OptiNet deal finalized". Bristol Herald Courier. Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
35. Irby, Zach. "BVU OptiNet, Sunset deal moving forward". BRISTOL HERALD COURIER. BRISTOL HERALD COURIER. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
36. U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Retrieved, 11/29/2018 https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=TRI&Airport_Name=Bristol/Johnson
37. McGee, David (January 10, 2020). "Northam: Passenger rail to Bristol 'logical step,' but not soon". HeraldCourier.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.

External links

• City of Bristol official website
• Bristol Convention & Visitors Bureau