The United States was founded on July 4, 1776. However some cities in the States go way back then that.
There are some cities in the U.S. that were established before even the formation of the country. Its believed that all of these cities were founded by European travellers. Here are some of the oldest cities present in the U.S.
St. Augustine, Florida – 1565
St. Augustine is perhaps the oldest city present in the United States. Its said that it was founded by a Spanish explorer on September 8, 1565. It remained the capital of Spanish Florida for nearly 200 years. From 1763 to 1783, British people took over the city and made it their capital of British East Florida. In 1783, the reign went back into Spanish hands. The second haul of the Spaniards lasted till 1822. After 1822, U.S. took over.
Jamestown, Virginia – 1607
Jamestown is the second oldest city in the States. It was also the first permanent English colony in North America. When it was founded in 1607, it went by the name of James Fort – The English King of that time. In 1624 Virginia was declared as a British Royal Colony and Jamestown subsequently became a small part of the bigger picture. When the Civil War ended in 1865, majority of the town was converted into ruins. Efforts began to reconstruct the town in 1900’s. Most of the land was privatised by then. Then in 1936 it was registered as a national park – Colonial National Park.
Hampton, Virginia – 1610
Hampton was founded by the same people who founded Jamestown. In 1610, Hampton began to serve as an English outpost. It was located near the James River and Chesapeake Bay. Due to its location, it became a military outpost for the Americans. As of now, this city is home to the Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Newport News, Virginia – 1613
Just like most of the old cities in Virginia, Newport News also has its roots connected to the Englishmen. In 1880, newly constructed rail lines began to run and coal was being transferred to the shipbuilding industry. Thats when the city got under the U.S. control. As of current, the shipbuilding industry in Newport News remains one of the largest industries in the whole country.
Albany, New York – 1614
Albany is not just one of the oldest cities in the United States but its also the capital of New York. It was settled in 1614 when the Dutch built a fort on the banks of Hudson River. When Englishmen took over it in 1664, they renamed it in the remembrance of Duke of Albany. It was designated as New York’s capital in 1797.
