Bristol Sign
History of the Bristol Sign
In 1910 the Bristol Gas and Electric Company donated an electric sign to the community of Bristol. The Bristol Sign was erected on the Interstate Hardware Company building near the railroad tracks off of State Street and originally showcased the slogan "PUSH! THAT'S BRISTOL!".
Five years later, the owners of the hardware company asked that the sign be moved due to possible damage to their building. In 1915 the Bristol Sign was moved to its current location rising 25 feet over the line dividing the states of Virginia and Tennessee on State Street. At the time it was noted as one of the largest signs in the nation.
Through the years the sign was the center of praise and on occassion a good laugh. From time to time some of the lights would go out and the sign would spell "PU__! THAT'S BRISTOL!" or "__SH THAT'S BRISTOl!" In 1921 the Bristol Advertising Club offered a contest for the best new slogan for the sign. The winning slogan was "A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE". The second most popular suggestion was "THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE". The club chose the first because they felt it was "modest in claim, and truthful in statement".
In 1988 the sign was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today the sign is maintained by both Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA.
