1959 Map of Bristol

About this map

The bi-state city of Bristol sits split between Tennessee and Virginia in this 1959 survey, showing a significant regional hub defined by education and transportation. The map captures the city's academic core, featuring institutions like Sullins College, Virginia Intermont College, and King College. Transport and commerce are anchored by the Union Depot, where the Southern Railway and Norfolk And Western Railway converge, and the historic Daniel Boone Trail following the valley floor. Beyond the urban grid, the landscape transitions into the distinctive geology of The Knobs and the Paperville Knobs. To the south, the Bristol International Speedway is visible near Vance, while the South Fork Holston River winds through the southeastern corner within the Cherokee National Forest. This document provides a detailed record of the mid-century expansion into neighborhoods like Fairmount and Virginia Heights before later suburban shifts.