Tag Archives: Virginia

Americana, Photography, Tennessee

Bristol Tennessee Virginia

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Wow! It’s been awhile since I posted here. Yikes! I’ve been concentrating on my podcast, Tourist in your Town. Be sure to check it out! A recent episode of the podcast was from Bristol, TN/VA. I thought I’d hop over here and share some of the photos that I took while there. It rained while I was there. But I got some great photos of the historic train station, the Paramount Theatre marquee, and lots of other cool places around town. Enjoy!

The Bristol Sign

Bristol is a town that is split between two states, Tennessee and Virginia. The split is right down the middle of the street that runs through downtown. The Bristol Sign sits across the road with one side in Tennessee and the other in Bristol. This sign was placed in this location in 1915 and originally said “Push!…That’s Bristol“. In 1921, the town held a contest to select a new slogan. “A good place to live” was the winner.

The Bristol TN / VA sign.

Bristol Train Station

The historic Bristol Train Station was built in 1902. Passenger service to the station ended in 1971. The station is currently an events venue.

Bristol Train Station at sunset.
Bristol Train Station on a rainy night,

The Paramount Bristol

The Paramount Theatre in Bristol was built in 1931. The first showing was “It Pays to Advertise” with Carole Lombard and Norman Foster. The theatre is now a concert venue.

The Paramount Bristol marquee at sunset
The Paramount Bristol after dark.
The divide between states

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my images! Prints are available of all images, just click on the image. You can also visit my gallery for more of my travel art.

Americana, Photography

Featured Americana

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Images from towns and cities in the US. Some are historic buildings or locations. A few are local landmarks. All are pure Americana.

Reflecting Bijou
Backward Tennessee
JFG Looking Up
The Palace Theatre Downtown Maryvlle
Oliver Hotel Sign
Scott’s Place is known for it’s hamburgers and onion rings. But how cool is that giant ice cream cone?
Bijou Marquee
House with Flags
Lonesome Dove Bistro
The Howard J. Baker Federal Courthouse has an arched entry and a beautiful clock tower and cupola.
Sky on Jellico
Historic Libby Hill View
Gas Station Trailer Park
Sunsphere at the Y
Hanging Flag

 

 

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Photography

Signs! Signs! And More Signs

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Signs are a definite favorite with myself and other photographers. Some are vintage, retro, or just retro looking. Billboards, neon, painted on buildings, I don’t know why we are drawn to them. Perhaps it’s that they seem to be art in their own right, created to draw people in. Even the most simple sign can garner attention and make us stop to stare. Some signs have the name of a business and some are warnings for what lies ahead. You’ll find a little bit of everything in this sign gallery.

 

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Yellow M & M
Food Court
Railroad Tracks
Cuba
Lema’s World Famous Chittlins. The red building stands out and sits next to a small fire house.
People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Keeton’s Jewelers sign. I have a thing for clocks on signs. This is a favorite of mine.
Floridita
Puros Habanos
Jellico Motel and Restaurant sign. Memories of Americana and road travel in its hay day.
Knoxville Nights
Watch for Pedestrians
RR Crossing
Cine Yara
Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House
Oliver Hotel Sign
Leeds Theatre
OK Furniture I love the faded letters on the front of this building.
Yesterday’s Garage
Scott’s Place is known for it’s hamburgers and onion rings. But how cool is that giant ice cream cone?
Burke’s Bakery
JFG Coffee
Laughing Jackalope
Square Room
Souvenir Mart

 

To see sign art by other artists, click here.

Photography

A trip to Richmond, VA

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I recently traveled to Richmond for work. While there, I had some down time, so I took advantage and did some sight seeing. There is so much to do and see, I didn’t know where to start. Sometimes when that happens to me, I just stay around the hotel and don’t venture out too far. Fear of the unknown, I guess. Anyway, I was determined to get out and do something. I found it never took me more than 15 minutes to get anywhere.  I went to some great restaurants during the week and did some touristy things on the weekend. The first really touristy thing was going to the Hollywood Cemetery. This is a place you have to see to really appreciate. It’s huge and full of history.  Then I found my way to Ashland. Ashland is a train town outside of Richmond. The entire town is considered an historic district. On Saturday, I made my way to Shockoe Bottom for an historic ghost tour. Ghosts tours are a great way to see several a city at night. This is true especially when I am traveling alone. I would never go to most of these places alone at night. So, going on a group tour is the ideal way for me.  I also love to hear about the local folklore and who doesn’t love ghosts?  Sunday was spent taking more photos in Shockoe Bottom (where Main Street Station is located) and then to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. I spent hours in this museum and I did not see everything. I am pretty sure that I am ready to go back to Richmond.

 

These photos were taken in the Libby Hill Park area. We were there for a photo shoot and once we finished, I walked around and shot some photos of the beautiful historic homes and the Richmond skyline.

Flags hanging from row houses in a small neighborhood of Richmond, Va.
Hanging Flag
A great view of the Richmond skyline.
Overlooking Richmond, VA from Libby HIll Park

 

 

Ashland also known as the “Center of the Universe” is a small town outside Richmond. I fell in love with this town. The town was declared a historic district in 1983.  The first time I went, I had dinner at the Iron Horse. I sat on the patio and geeked out a little when a train rolled through. The food there is amazing and worth a visit. The next day I went back to Ashland and ate at the Trackside Grill.  A little more basic, but still yummy food.

Railroad tracks through Ashland, VA
The visitors center in Ashland, VA.
The train station and visitor’s center in Ashland, VA.
Some of the local shops in Ashland.

 

The Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA is 130 acres. It is large and sprawling and known for it’s beautiful gardens and history.

 

This guardian angel is taking a moment in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.
A large dead tree resides over a silent kingdom of the dead.
The Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA is large and varied in it’s beauty.
The Columbarium at the Hollywood Cemetery.

 

The Farmer’s Market was large and had just about everything, including fresh, hot donuts.

Yoder’s Donuts, dripping with hot glaze.
Jewelry at the Farmer’s Market.
Peppers, garlic, eggplant, onions. All the good stuff.
Fresh pasta. Yes, there was a vendor that sold fresh pasta.

 

Trains. Did I mention trains?

Inside Main Street Station in Richmond, VA
Main Street Station at night
Inside Main Street Station in Richmond, VA
Main Street Station in Richmond, VA at dusk

 

To see more photos from this trip, click here.

 

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