Founder of Bristol - Bristol TN - Tennessee Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Founder of Bristol- 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 the town and became the first merchant, postmaster and banker. As the town grew he became a prominent business, civic and church leader and so remained throughout his lifetime. On the day before his death Anderson was nominated for Governor of Tennessee. In 1856 a group of citizens combined the original Bristol Virginia with adjoining Goodsonville to form the composite Town of Goodson. A point of confusion resulted since the depot, and for most years the post office, remained in Bristol. In 1890 all the Virginia side returned to the name Anderson had given it in 1852, was re-incorporated as such and so remains today.

LOCATION: East Hill Cemetery Drive in East Hill Cemetery, Bristol TN 37620. The Virginia-Tennessee State line goes through the cemetery.

Marker Name: Founder of Bristol Marker Location: City Type of Marker: Person Marker Number: None Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker: City Historian of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/20/2021 Don.Morfe visited it