Exploring the 10 Oldest Cities in America

When considering the oldest cities in the United States, the dates they were founded often comes into question. Indigenous people inhabited these storied cities for millennia. Later, European settlers claimed the Americas from the 15th century through the early 19th century. Many historic places stretch across the eastern and southern regions of the U.S.

The history and people, including indigenous tribes, enslaved Africans and immigrants, left an imprint on America’s foundation. The impact of colonization also had an effect. The oldest cities in America are living museums that have preserved architecture, art, cuisine and traditions. Their value paved the way for how we live today, highlighting the human experience and recognizing their meaningful impact. Let’s travel to the past and explore 10 of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the U.S.

Unveiling the Past: The Top 10 Oldest Cities in the U.S.

1. St. Augustine, Florida (1565)

By the time the U.S. was founded on July 4, 1776, St. Augustine was over 200 years old. It tops the list as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. The Timucua were the original Florida natives. They occupied present-day St. Augustine for hundreds of years before Juan Ponce de León set foot there in 1513, looking for the fabled fountain of youth. 

Years later, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés claimed it for the Spanish crown on August 28, 1565, the feast day of patron Saint Augustine. After a months-long voyage from Spain, he established a trading post with thousands of settlers and about 50 Africans. The Spanish began eliminating French settlements, expanding Spain’s territorial and economic expansion. Once fully colonized, this coastal city served as the capital of Spanish Florida.

Today, St. Augustine is a popular vacation destination that still reflects its past. There are archaeological tours of the Timucua civilization, Spanish Renaissance architecture at the Ponce St. Augustine Hotel, and the fortress site, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

2. Jamestown, Virginia (1607)

Jamestown is the most well-known English settlement. Founded on May 14, 1607, King James I and the Virginia Company of London sanctioned approximately 100 European colonists, including Captain John Smith, to establish a permanent settlement in the New World. In addition to conflicts with the Powhatan warriors protecting their land, the settlers battled malaria and food shortages, significantly reducing the population. 

John Rolfe arrived in 1609, successfully cultivating tobacco as a cash crop. As part of a peace treaty between the natives and colonizers, Rolfe married Chief Powhatan’s young daughter, Pocahontas. After Chief Powhatan died in 1618, settlers further encroached on indigenous land. The result was intermittent fighting that nearly destroyed the Powhatan population. 

By 1698, the original settlement had burned down twice and relocated to modern-day Williamsburg, Virginia. Currently, it is a historic site with recreations of the original settlement. It includes a history museum frequented by local and regional school districts.  

3. Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610)

If you visit Santa Fe today, you’ll notice eye-catching adobe buildings and local boutiques showcasing mosaic jewelry, pottery and sculptures. These art pieces and architecture trace back to the Pueblo Indians. Santa Fe has several distinctions. It is the oldest city in New Mexico, the oldest state capital and the oldest inhabited state capital. 

Spaniard Don Pedro de Peralta officially made Santa Fe the state’s capital in 1610. After continuous attempts at religious conversion and subjugation, the Pueblo Indians led a revolt against the settlers in 1680. By 1821, the state had won independence from Spanish rule. A year later, American settlers arrived using the Santa Fe Trail. This route connected Santa Fe to Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. 

Pueblo architecture has a significant influence on the landscape in the Southwestern region. Historic sites include the Santa Fe Plaza, built in 1609. The Palace of the Governors was erected in 1610 and is the oldest public building in the U.S. Today the building is home to the New Mexico History Museum. Also built in 1610, the San Miguel Chapel is the oldest church in the U.S.

4. Hampton, Virginia (1610)

Hampton, Virginia, is the oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking settlement in the U.S. It also holds significance as the catalyst for one of America’s darkest eras: the grim legacy of chattel slavery. Founded in 1610, Captain John Smith led fellow settlers to pursue Jamestown’s expansion and create a trade center along the Chesapeake Bay. 

Nine years later, on August 20, 1619, the first documented account of enslaved Africans being shipped to English North America marked a turning point in the origins of race-based bondage in the U.S. 

When the English privateer ship, the White Lion, arrived at Point Comfort (currently known as Fort Monroe), John Rolfe recorded in his journal that “20 and odd” Africans were aboard. Days later, a second ship, the Treasurer, landed with more of the enslaved. By 1862, during the American Civil War, Richmond, Virginia, had become the capital of the Confederacy. At this time, Hampton had become an important military and naval site. A few years after the abolition of slavery in 1868, the private historically Black research university Hampton University was established.

5. Albany, New York (1614)

Located in upstate New York, Albany’s origins date back to 1614. Dutch immigrants settled in what was then called Fort Nassau to trade furs with the local Native American tribes, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). Situated beside the North River, now known as the Hudson, the area’s economic and commercial expansion made it one of the most essential trade centers of the Colonial era. 

After surrendering to the British in 1664, the territory was split and granted to the brothers of King Charles II, forming New Netherland, New England, Long Island, and New Amsterdam. Albany officially became the capital city in 1797 and continued to be a site for international trade, banking and commerce.

6. Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620)

From documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters to class projects, the stories of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock are among the most widely told in American history. Plymouth was founded in 1620 and is the birthplace of the first Thanksgiving. Initially home to the Wampanoag tribe, Plymouth Colony was the first permanent English settlement in New England. 

The pilgrims, English separatists seeking religious independence from the Church of England, sailed across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower to settle in Virginia. However, harsh sea conditions and insufficient resources diverted their journey, forcing them to land in Plymouth. 

Upon arrival, the pilgrims narrowly survived their first winter without the assistance of the Wampanoag people. Eventually, the entirety of the Wampanoag tribe was nearly killed, with many sold into slavery. By 1691, Plymouth merged with the Province of Massachusetts Bay, marking the end of the settlement.

7. Gloucester, Massachusetts (1623)

Since its founding in 1623, Gloucester, Massachusetts, has thrived as a city of fishermen. This is due to its location on the Cape Ann peninsula along Massachusetts’ north shore. It is considered America’s oldest seaport with a rich maritime history. Named after Gloucestershire, England, the city was established by 14 men associated with the Dorchester Company and Plymouth settlers who founded fishing stations in the area. Today, Gloucester is a popular summer destination and a vital fishing industry center.

8. New York, New York (1624)

New York City has quite a few monikers. Some people call it “The City That Never Sleeps,” “The Big Apple,” or “NYC.” However, its early name was New Amsterdam when the Dutch set up fur trading ports in the area in 1624. When King James II claimed the area after the Dutch surrendered occupation of the land, it was renamed New York in 1664. 

For centuries, the city has drawn immigrants from nearly every continent. The result is one of the most diverse populations in the U.S., earning the city its “Melting Pot” moniker. New York is known for its long-standing position as a significant national and international business and commerce hub. Legendary landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center and even its skyline make New York a highly sought-after place to live and visit.  

10. Jersey City, New Jersey (1630)

The area known as Jersey City was originally inhabited by an indigenous people known as the Lenape, or Delaware Indians. It was later part of the Dutch province known as New Netherland, and Dutch settler Michiel Pauw received a land grant to purchase the land from the Lenape that dates to 1630. 

Like other colonial settlements, conflicts arose between the colonizers and the indigenous tribes. Infighting among the natives also caused additional tensions. In 1664, the land was threatened to be usurped by the English. The Dutch surrendered without a fight as they were surrounded by English ships, marking the end of the settlement.  

The Role of America’s Oldest Cities in the Modern Era

Each of these historic cities carries a distinct cultural identity. With unique landmarks, traditions and architecture, these sites are complex symbols of how the U.S. was founded and a tangible place to reflect on America’s legacy.  

Answering Common Questions About America’s Oldest Cities