The Cherokee controlled the area in the early 1700's, though the Iroquois asserted they had some rights south of the Ohio River.
Because the two cities share the same name, there is no Bristol High School instead, there is a Virginia High School north of the border and a Tennessee High School south of the state line. The middle of State Street has been the state border since 1901, and wastewater is processed in a facility that is jointly owned by Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee. An 18th century wagon road, 19th century railroad, and 20th century I-81 cross the border there. (1912)īristol is a two-state city, with separate municipalities in Tennessee and Virginia. Source: Library of Congress, Aero view of Bristol, Va.-Tenn. In 1912, the Norfolk and Western Railroad crossed State Street in front of the sign advertising 'Bristol VA TENN'
