--- title: "Downtown / State Street" url: https://www.herebristol.com/downtown-state-street/ date: 2026-07-11T17:07:13+00:00 modified: 2026-07-11T17:07:13+00:00 author: "" site: "HEREBristol" attribution: "HEREBristol" --- # Downtown / State Street *Source: [HEREBristol](https://www.herebristol.com/downtown-state-street/) — July 11, 2026 by * Sullivan County · Historic # Downtown / State Street Bristol's historic commercial core bisected by the Tennessee-Virginia state line, anchored by the iconic 1910 Bristol Sign on State Street. 1910 Bristol Sign (NRHP) State Street state-line corridor Birthplace of Country Music (1927 Ralph Peer Sessions) ### Quick Facts ZIP37620 CategoryHistoric Platted1852 Main CorridorState Street / Volunteer Parkway CountySullivan County ### At A Glance Walkability72/100 CommuteDowntown IS the core InterstateI-81 Exit 74B, 1 mile north via Volunteer Pkwy VibeHistoric twin-city main street with live music, local dining, and a state-line novelty Best ForRestaurant and entertainment seekers, history enthusiasts, young professionals ### Got A Tip? News, real estate moves, or business happenings in Downtown / State Street? Send a tip — anonymous OK. [Submit a Tip](/submit-a-tip/) ### Own This Neighborhood Your Name Here Your Brokerage · Bristol, TN 📞(864) 555-0100 ✉you@yoursite.com 🌐yoursite.com $149/mo · Sponsor Downtown / State Street [Become The Sponsor →](/sponsor-a-neighborhood/) ## Location Downtown Bristol occupies the original 1852 platted grid anchored by State Street, which runs east-west through the city center and serves as the physical Tennessee-Virginia state line. The neighborhood extends roughly from 3rd Street to 9th Street and from Shelby Street north to the rail depot area. The coordinates of city center are approximately 36.5951°N, 82.1887°W. I-81 is accessible via Exit 74B approximately one mile north. US-11W (State Street west) connects to Kingsport and Johnson City. [**Open Downtown / State Street in Google Maps →**36.5951° N, 82.1887° W · ZIP 37620](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=36.5951,-82.1887) ## Character The neighborhood is primarily mixed-use masonry commercial stock built between 1890 and 1950, with ground-floor retail and upper-floor offices and apartments. The Bristol Chamber of Commerce at 20 Volunteer Parkway anchors the western end. The Paramount Bristol (518 State St) is a 1931 theater and performance venue. The state-line setting creates a distinctive dual-state character — businesses on the Tennessee side operate under no state income tax, while the Virginia side has a 5.75% top rate. ## History Joseph R. Anderson purchased 100 acres of the King plantation in 1852 and platted Bristol across the state line. Incorporation as Bristol, Tennessee and Goodson, Virginia (later renamed Bristol, VA) both occurred in 1856. In 1927, talent scout Ralph Peer recorded the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and dozens of other artists at the intersection of State Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for Victor Talking Machine Company — recordings that catalyzed the commercial country music industry. The U.S. Congress declared Bristol the Birthplace of Country Music in 1998. Your Featured Sponsor Your Name Here Your Brokerage · Realtor® **📞** (864) 555-0100 **✉** you@yourbrokerage.com **🌐** yourbrokerage.com [Visit My Site →](/advertise/) ### Own Downtown / State Street — Just $149/month Exclusive sponsorship · one realtor or local business per neighborhood - **Top-of-page featured card** with your photo, name, brokerage, phone, email, and website - **Route every Downtown / State Street search visitor** directly to your site — not Zillow, not Realtor.com - **Hyperlocal SEO juice** — backlink from a high-authority HEREBristol neighborhood page - **Click-to-call and click-to-email** built in for mobile leads - **Lock out competitors** — only one sponsor at a time, month-to-month - **Cancel anytime** — no contract, no setup fee [Claim Downtown / State Street →](/sponsor-a-neighborhood/) [See vs Zillow & Redfin](/sponsor-a-neighborhood/#compare) ## Schools Elementary Various Bristol City Schools elementaries Bristol Tennessee City Schools [SC Report Card →](https://www.tn.gov/education/data/report-card.html) [School site →](https://www.btcs.org) Middle Bristol Tennessee Middle School Bristol Tennessee City Schools [SC Report Card →](https://www.tn.gov/education/data/report-card.html) [School site →](https://www.btcs.org) High Tennessee High School Bristol Tennessee City Schools [SC Report Card →](https://www.tn.gov/education/data/report-card.html) [School site →](https://ths.btcs.org) Ratings from the Tennessee School Report Card (Tennessee Department of Education) — not third-party aggregators. ## Nearby Retail & Dining - **Paramount Bristol** — Historic 1931 theater and live performance venue *(0.2 mi)* - **State Street dining corridor** — Mix of local restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops along the TN/VA state line *(on corridor)* ## Healthcare & Essentials - **Bristol Regional Medical Center (Ballad Health)** Hospital *(3.5 mi west)* - **Multiple Ballad Health clinics** Urgent care *(2 mi)* **Run a business near Downtown / State Street?** Join the HEREBristol Business Directory and we'll link your name from neighborhood pages like this one — driving local search traffic straight to your site. [Join Our Business Directory →](/advertise/) School data from the [SC Department of Education Report Card](https://screportcards.com). Page maintained by HEREBristol.