OREGON- ASTORIA
Established: 1811
Astoria happens to be the oldest US settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded in 1811 by John Jacob Astor, our country’s first millionaire. He sent fur traders to the area. Fun Fact: It also has close ties to the Lewis & Clark footpaths.
PENNSYLVANIA- PHILADELPHIA
Established: 1681
In the early 1600s, English, Dutch, and Swedish traders came to the area, but in 1681, Quaker pacifist William Penn arrived, taking over. King Charles II gave him the province, and it quickly became one of the most important cities in the 13 colonies.
RHODE ISLAND- PROVIDENCE
Established: 1636
Roger Williams became exiled from the Massachusetts colony in 1636 due to his unorthodox religious beliefs, and he stumbled upon the Providence area. He purchased the land and named it “God’s merciful providence,” creating one of the oldest towns with the promise of religious freedom.
SOUTH CAROLINA- CHARLESTON
Established: 1670
English colonists stumbled upon Charleston in 1670. This “oldest town’s ” historical claim to fame is that it’s where the first official shot was fired in the Civil War at famous Fort Sumter. When colonization began, it was known as Charles Towne, for Charles II, and eventually became the center of trade in indigo and rice due to its location on the water.
27 thoughts on “50 Incredible Oldest Towns In The US”
Hampton Virginia was established in 1610 and is the oldest, continuous English speaking settlement in the New World.
St. Augustine, FL, is the old European settled city in the US – established in 1565.
what happed to Gloucester City, Fort Nassau 1623 ?
I sincerely want to thank you for description of Maryland. Maryland was settled as “The Free State,” for religious freedom. The democrat governor and failed president attemptee took away the free state slogan and made the official logo “The Old Line State.” Yes, it was the old line state, but it was for religious freedom before anything else.
Some of the oldest cities are in Vermont and Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
I lived in Astoria Oregon from 1957 to 1961. It was a thriving fishing town. The Navy had a base on the Columbia River. This was long before the bridge was built and ferries crossed the river to Washington. It was an interesting city. Small and friendly people.
What about Va. Hampton-the oldest English speaking town in America.
St. August, FL, is the oldest settlement of European origin in the US – established in 1655 and still going strong.
Santa Fe was settled by Spain in 1610
I am a native Mississippian and have visited Natchez several times. Of all the things you COULD have said about Natchez (beautiful antebellum homes, Mississippi River town, casino, etc.), you chose to hang the “states most active slave-trading city” moniker around its neck. Is that the best you could do – perpetuate the city’s 200-years-ago history that no one is proud of today? Wouldn’t it have been better to describe it in a manner that would draw someone to the area? I thought that was the whole point of this article – to encourage people to visit the 50 oldest cities. That’s surely not likely to happen with that glowing (NOT) description of Natchez.
Thank you for defending our wonderful Mississippi! I guarantee the racial divide is not nearly so wide here as in many other states. Mississippi is, for the most part, a deeply religious state, and we have learned from those terrible mistakes of the past.
Thank you for your candid comment, which I believe expresses the feelings of most true Americans !
thank you so much my husband and i are retired and love to travel and we like to spend our $$$$$ in our country to keep our economy healthy so thanks again.
Actually, the first shots of the (Un)Civil war were fired upon “Star of the West” as she attempted to resupply Fort Sumter on January 9,1961.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/star-of-the-west-is-fired-upon
I have been to Hawaii 4 times including Barbers Point and both Hickam Air Base & Pearl Harbor where I attended School 5th and 6th at Hickam and 7th at Pearl Harbor Intermediate. Lots of memories even at my age as you never forget the great times growing up.
I Love Hawaii and still think it is the best place in the world as I have been there 4 different times with the first time growing up as I went to 5th and 6th grade at Hickam Air Base and 7th at Pearl Harbor Intermediate back in the 50’s.
West Virginia got a few sentences. :/
One of the most beautiful states & has a lot of history. Yet….
I lived in Providence,RI for many years. I’ve been to Connecticut a lot and also Massachusetts. I would definitely love to visit some more of the older states in my lifetime.
I like 👍. I just retired and getting ready to travel and spend my money here in the US 1st many beautiful places to travel thank you.
AUGUSTA Georgia missed, an important pre revolutionary town. ALSO Darien in that state
How about Southampton, Long Island, NY? Founded in 1640 by Edward Howell. A truly charming village.
I found it very interesting.
Been to Bath NC numerous times, as it lays across the Pamlico River where I reside in Chocowinity NC. A quaint town with no amenities that I’m aware of.
You forgot Marietta Pennsylvania founded in 1719 named after Mary and Henrietta Anderson
Newark NJ might have been settled in 1666 but that was well after Burlington City NJ was settled in 1621.
I think I have been to them all except STEILACOOM.
St. Augustine – oldest continuously occupied, but Pensacola was established in 1559 by Don Tristan de Luna and Spanish settlers and is America’s First (European) Settlement. The king and queen of Spain visited Pensacola in 2009 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the 1559 Luna Expedition which established Pensacola. Magellan’s ship Elcano visited last year. Lots of heritage for both cities.