What is the Oldest Town?
Established in 1607, Jamestown is sometimes called America's oldest town, but that isn't correct. Jamestown is America's oldest permanent English settlement. Florida's Spanish Colonial St. Augustine began in 1565, making it the oldest continuing permanent European settlement.
Then there are earlier settlements and colonies throughout North America that did not continue or are not counted for a variety of reasons. And of course, no European settlement in the so-called New World can hold a candle to Indian settlements and communities like Jamestown's (now reconstructed) Powhatan Indian Village built long before the British set sail and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, which dates back to 650 AD.
The Jamestown 400th Anniversary Festival will take place Friday, May 11 though Sunday, May 13, 2007.
More about early American Architecture: American Colonial and Federal Houses >>
Comments
isn’t st. augustine, florida the oldest town in the states? i believe that it was settled by the spanish before jamestown.
Acoma Pueblo, Taos Pueblo and many of the other Pueblols of New Mexico are much older and are still inhabited. Thanks for mentioning the Indian settlements. That is often overlooked.
What about Québec City, Jacques Cartier, 1534
Jacques Cartier arrived in Gaspé in 1534. Quebec city was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Darn it, one year too late!
i live about 15 miles away from st augustine, i would love to take pictures and post them if anyone is interested
my email is pumpmar@yahoo.com
Actually Pensacola is the oldest town in Fla but it was on Santa Rosa Island and wiped out by Hurricanes St Augustine is the oldest CONTINUOUS inhabited town in Fla
You can always talk about towns that do not exist anymore. First settlement is one thing. If you want to really see US history you look at towns such as Fairfield, CT that have been around before the birth of The USA and still in existence. You show me a town today that was settled in 1639 and standing strong today.