I.C. Fowler Home

The I. C. Fowler house is one of the oldest homes in Bristol, Virginia. It was given to the Bristol Goodson Historic Preservationists, Inc. by Sid Oakley, owner of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The building style is Greek Revival.

After the Civil War many people moved to the young town of Bristol-Goodson to seek a new life of prosperity and peace. Mr. Isaac Chapman Fowler was one of those people. Fowler was born at Tazewell, Virginia on September 23, 1831, but was principally reared near Red Sulfur Springs (now West Virginia). He was educated at Emory and Henry College. After the war, he erected a house on a lot which he had purchased in 1863. The 1868 Tax List shows his house was erected 1867-1868.

On August 7, 1868, I. C. and Elbert Fowler purchased the Bristol News. In an editorial he wrote on Friday, August 14, 1868: "We shall advocate the consolidation into one great line of several railroads now used as a link in the chain of connection between Norfolk and the trade west and south of Virginia. In the success of that measure, we will realize for both Virginia and Tennessee, the complete development of those advantages which we have seen so auspiciously commenced under the able management of General Mahoney. We will by every means in our power seek to promote the speedy completion of the Va. & Kentucky Railroad, the only line now wanting to bring through our country the great commerce of the Ohio Valley. "I. C. Fowler's focus as an editor was to promote the twin towns and he became a "one man Chamber of Commerce." His newspaper carried articles proclaiming the town's potential and encouraged businesses to locate in the town or build new businesses during Reconstruction and for many years later. Local historians are able to gather vivid details of the businesses that located in the area, and dates of new homes being built, by reading the Bristol News. Fowler could be sarcastic, witty and very compassionate when writing about local citizens. Most importantly, he was responsible in large part for the growth of Bristol during the 1870's and early 1880's.

He was mayor of Goodson from 1871-1875, and it was during his tenure that he pushed for an organized residential area. He invited everyone whom his newspaper reached to come to Bristol-Goodson to seek their livelihood in this growing town. Solar Hill and Virginia Hill are in the area which makes up a large portion of the proposed Bristol-Goodson Historic District where this house is located. From 1875-1881, he was a member of the House of Delegates in the General Assembly of Virginia from Washington County. In 1881, he was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates. I. C. Fowler was involved in every aspect of the community life during his days here in Bristol.