VERMONT- WESTMINSTER
Established: 1734
According to the Westminster Historical Society, Westminster’s small “oldest town” was founded in 1734, but it wasn’t a permanent settlement until 1751. The main street of Westminster Village was laid out during the reign of George the Second, so it was called the King’s Highway.
VIRGINIA- JAMESTOWN
Established: 1607
This “oldest town” was the first permanent English settlement in North America in 1607. Most early settlers died from disease, starvation, and war with the Powhatan Indian tribe. Nowadays, it’s a historic site, but no longer a town, and is located near “Colonial Williamsburg.”
WASHINGTON- STEILACOOM
Established: 1854
Steilacoom officially became a town in 1854, founded by a boat captain from Maine, who was reminded of his home upon seeing the area on the Puget Sound. Originally he called it “Port Steilacoom,” but months later, John B. Chapman took a claim to the west, naming his town “Steilacoom City,” and they ended up combining the two rival towns. Union Avenue joined them soon after.
Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting Virginia, don’t miss Colonial Williamsburg! You’ll get the full experience of knowing what colonial living was all about!
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.
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.
Gloucester MA., Established in 1623.
Lahaina is another, located on Maui, Hawaii.
My city, Victoria, Texas was founded in 1824 by Spanish Settlers under Martin DeLeon . It was named for Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Jesus Victoria and Guadalupe Victoria, the first Mexican president. We are 201 years old now.
I lived in NJ for many years and Newark wasn’t far from one of the towns I lived in. I also lived in D.C. and traveled to Williamsburg which is definitely worth the trip.
I found the history of these towns relative to Native Americans settling them poignant since these people were replaced by white men. We then put them in “reservations.” Not a very proud history.