History of the Stone Castle:
The birth of the Stone Castle. During the era of the New Deal, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed two stadiums in the state of Tennessee; Bristol Municipal Stadium and Crump Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Construction of Bristol Municipal Stadium began in 1934 and was completed in 1936. The cost of $34,000 was shared between the federal government and the city of Bristol. A renovation of the facility was completed in 1986. A renovation and renewal program is in the works today.
The use of the Stone Castle. The Stone Castle opened on October 8, 1936. It has served as the home football fields of Tennessee High School, Virginia High School, Slater High School and Douglas High School, King College and Emory and Henry College. The structure has a seating capacity of approximately 8,000.
The significance of the Stone Castle. The Tennessee Historical Society has referred to Bristol Municipal Stadium as the most architecturally significant stadium in Tennessee. The stadium is constructed from rough rubble limestone that was procured from another Works Progress Administration project at nearby Beaver Creek. The design of the stadium was influenced by Medieval Gothic architecture and features arched entries, notched walls with a height of twenty feet, and corner towers. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The introduction of Music In The Castle. It was in 1951 that four business men and the Bristol Chamber of Commerce initiated a band festival that would become one of the south's premier marching competition. So since October 11, 1951 the Stone Castle has hosted the Music In The Castle marching band competition. Click here for more information on the history of the Music In The Castle competition.