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East Hill Cemetery

East Hill Cemetery, located in Bristol, TN 37620, United States, is a historic site known for its serene environment and rich heritage.

This cemetery serves as a place of reflection and preservation, honoring the lives and legacies of those interred within its grounds. It is distinguished by its tranquil setting and historical significance.

Cemetery Services

Memorial Day

Every year, on the Friday before Memorial Day, Camp 52, Sons of Confederate Veterans, place flags on all military graves in East Hill Cemetery. Over 400 military personnel are buried here, and each grave is honored with either an American or Confederate flag.

On the Saturday before Memorial Day, at 10:00 AM, a special ceremony is held at the Confederate Field of Honor. The event features guest speakers, the decoration of the Confederate Memorial, and a rifle salute. If available, a bugler will also play Taps.

East Hill Cemetery Entrance

About Cemetery

East Hill Cemetery is a historic site dedicated to honoring the lives and legacies of those interred within its grounds. Known for its serene environment and rich heritage, the cemetery provides a place for reflection and remembrance. Its historical significance is marked by notable graves and memorials, including the story of Nellie Gaines, the first person buried here in 1857.

Memorial Nellie Ganes

First burial in East Hill Cemetery

This cemetery began late February 1857 with the burial here of 5-year-old Nellie Gaines. She was born in early January 1852, a daughter of tenant farmers who then lived on the Samuel Goodson plantation on Beaver Creek about two miles upstream from present downtown Bristol Virginia. At the time this location was known as Round Hill and was covered with large trees and brush. It had then been laid aside as a future burial ground for the new town of Bristol Tennessee/Virginia. Soon after her death, her family moved to Texas. In 1887, her father returned here and built a small shed over the grave. It so remained as a sole marker for several years. Later her only marker was a huge poplar tree that stood at the head of the grave.

Contact us

Dorwin Baines

Board Member

East Hill Cemetery is located in Bristol, TN 37620, United States.