is a quick right turn into history off the 80/90 Toll Road, running from Chicago, Illinois to the west Ohio border. A short drive south takes you to the heart of downtown and a stoplight marking the busy intersection of State Highways 15 and 120.
From its zenith as a port of river traffic until the railroads came in 1851 and growth was diverted to other area cities, Bristol today hides a surprising amount of industrial development behind the facade of a sleepy little community.
Although population hovers at 1,600 - the surrounding township has 5,000 residents, and hundreds more from other cities and counties pour into Bristol each day to work
in the industrial complexes.
"Bristol" and "Sydneyham," were rival villages on opposite sides of the road that merged, and the name of "Bristol" endured. Built on bluffs above the bend of the St. Joseph River, the busy riverport's water powered saw mills, flour mills, and a corn whiskey distillery. In 1851, brisk river traffic vanished virtually overnight. The railroads had come, and Bristol ceased to be a major trade center.
Around 1860, a number of fruit trees were planted on the highest land in the area; resulting bountiful harvests confirmed that frost settled, sparing damage to the crops perched high in the "fruit hills."
In 1869, the town was incorporated with a population of 706. By 1870, a weekly Detroit stage coach had ceased to stop at the Congdon Inn, and Bristol was no longer a focus at the crossroads of travel.
Just a few blocks long by 1881, the downtown had 3 drug stores, 2 boot/shoe shops, 2 hotels, 1 furniture maker, 1 jewelry/clothing store, 1 meat market, 1 horse harness shop, 2 restaurants, 4 billiard halls, a saloon, 4 blacksmiths, 2 cooper shops, 2 general stores, and a local newspaper. But three devastating fires within a few months in 1885, the last a suspected arson over a lawsuit about mill rights, nearly destroyed the downtown area.
Then, in 1897, Mr. Mosier, the owner of the Bristol Banner newspaper, hatched his grand scheme for bringing culture to the area and built the Mosier Opera House which opened with great fanfare just down the street from his busy press room.
Now, nearly 200 years since the European settlers came to this wayside of westward travel, Bristol views the future with the same pioneering spirit. Outwardly, a low-key little town, the development of surrounding farmland into industrial complexes has brought increased vitality and employment opportunities.
Area residents are drawn to the historical landmarks like the Bristol Opera House and the Bonneyville Mill and to the annual festivals like the Bristol Homecoming, the Wild Rose Moon, and Bonneyville Mill Days. The Bristol Fruit Hills race draws participants from several surrounding states, while the two rivers, the St. Joseph and the Little Elkhart draw scores of participants in water activities like kayaking and canoeing.
Bristol, Indiana - tomorrow's growth with yesterday's values.
