The “Birthplace of Bristol” historic marker (Tennessee Historical Commission #1A-137) is on the southwest corner of MLK Boulevard and State Street in downtown Bristol, Tennessee, on the opposite corner from the train depot and the historic marker “Historic Bristol.”

GPS coordinates: +36° 35′ 41.38″, -82° 10′ 52.11″

This marker is slightly east of the historic markers for the “Bristol Sessions.” About two blocks further east on State Street is the historic marker “Evan Shelby.”

“The town of Bristol was planned and laid out by Joseph Anderson Rhea in 1852. Development began on this site in 1853 with the erection of Anderson’s combined home and business. The building served as the community’s first store, post office, bank, and realty office. The first election, town council meeting, court session, church service, wedding and birth took place there. Anderson is buried in East Hill Cemetery seven blocks east.”