U.S. Cities That Predate the Nation's Birth

Long before the United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, many European explorers — Spanish, French, and English — had already founded settlements that often flourished on lands that indigenous peoples had long inhabited.

These early cities became centers of education, culture, trade, and community, shaping the nation's history long before its official birth.

These are 10 of the oldest inhabited cities in the U.S. that you can visit today.

10. Williamsburg, Virginia (1632)

Williamsburg was founded in 1632 and originally known as Middle Plantation, a fortified settlement strategically built between the James and York rivers on high ground to defend against Native American attacks. In 1693, the College of William & Mary was established — the second-oldest in the United States — attended by three future presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler.

After Jamestown burned down in 1676, the capital of the Virginia Colony was moved to Williamsburg in 1699, named after King William III of England. The city quickly became an educational and political hub for the colonies, home to Virginia's first printing press and newspaper.

9. Boston (1630)

In the early 1600s, the Shawmut Peninsula — which would become known as Boston — was inhabited by the Massachusett tribe. In 1614, English explorer John Smith named the larger region "New England" to attract European settlers.

By 1630, Puritan settlers led by John Winthrop, established the Massachusetts Bay Colony and renamed the settlement Boston after their home in Lincolnshire, England. With the founding of the Boston Latin School in 1635 and Harvard University in 1636, Boston became a political, commercial, financial, religious, and educational center of New England.

It also played a crucial role in the American Revolution, witnessing key events like the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and the Siege of Boston in 1775-1776.

8. Salem, Massachusetts (1626)

In 1626 a group of English fishermen led by Roger Conant settled in a coastal land called Naumkeag after the local Native American tribe. By 1630, about 40 settlers were living there and renamed the city to Salem, derived from the Hebrew word "Shalom" and the Arabic word "Salam," meaning peace. The city grew rapidly due to its excellent location for fishing and trade, and became one of the most important ports in the New England region.

Today, Salem is perhaps most famous for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft that resulted in the execution of 20.

7. New York (1624)

In 1624 the Dutch West India Co. founded New York City but called it New Amsterdam . Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, the settlement was intended to serve as a trading post for the fur trade.

In 1626 Peter Minuit, one of the early Dutch governors, purchased the island from the Lenape Native Americans for goods worth around 60 guilders, often cited as being worth about $24.

By 1664, the English took control of New Amsterdam without much resistance and renamed it New York, in honor of the Duke of York (later King James II of England). The city quickly grew under English rule, becoming a major port and commercial center.

6. Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620)

Probably the most famous Pilgrim settlement in the United States, Plymouth was settled in December 1620 by a group of English separatists seeking religious freedom, known as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower . Although originally bound for Virginia, they got off course, and as winter approached and supplies dwindled, they eventually landed in Massachusetts. The Pilgrims chose to settle in what is now Plymouth Harbor. Before disembarking, they signed the Mayflower Compact, a pioneering document of self-governance.

Enduring a harsh first winter with significant losses due to disease and lack of shelter, the Pilgrims formed an alliance the following spring with the Wampanoag tribe. The tribe's leader, Massasoit, and translator, Squanto, taught the Pilgrims essential survival skills , including how to cultivate corn and fish in local waters.

In 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared a harvest feast that would be known and widely acknowledged as the first Thanksgiving.

5. Albany, New York (1614)

In 1614, Dutch settlers established Fort Nassau on Castle Island, along the Hudson River, as a fur trading post. This fort was short-lived, but a decade later, in 1624, the Dutch West India Co. founded a more permanent settlement called Fort Orange near the present-day city. That area became a key center for the fur trade, attracting many settlers and traders. When the English seized control of the Dutch colony of New Netherland, including Fort Orange, in 1664, they renamed the settlement Albany.

4. Hampton, Virginia (1610)

Hampton was founded in 1610 as part of the Virginia Colony by settlers who founded nearby Jamestown. Named after the Earl of Southampton, Hampton grew due to its fertile land and waterways, becoming an important farming and trade hub.

It's famous for being the first continuous English-speaking settlement and the home of Hampton University , one of the oldest historically black universities.

3. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Spanish colonists founded Santa Fe in 1610, making it the oldest state capital in the United States. Governor Pedro de Peralta established the city as the capital of the province of Nuevo México. The Spanish chose the site for its strategic location and natural resources, which made it an ideal center for trade and administration. The city's full name, "La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís," translates to "The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi."

2. Jamestown, Virginia (1607)

Founded on May 14, 1607, by the Virginia Company of London, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The settlers chose the site for its strategic location on the James River and named the settlement Jamestown in honor of King James I of England.

The early years of Jamestown were fraught with hardship as the settlers faced severe challenges, including conflicts with the indigenous Powhatan Confederacy, disease, and famine. The winter of 1609-1610, known as the "Starving Time," was particularly brutal, with only 60 of the original 214 settlers surviving. The colony was saved by the timely arrival of supply ships and new settlers, as well as the leadership of Capt. John Smith and the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe, which eventually made Jamestown economically viable and served as the capital of Virginia Colony until 1699.

In 1676, during Bacon's Rebellion, Jamestown was set ablaze by rebels led by Nathaniel Bacon. The fire destroyed much of the settlement, but it was rebuilt. Despite this recovery, the capital was moved to Williamsburg in 1699 due to the more favorable location and growing importance of the latter.

1. St. Augustine, Florida (1565)

Founded on Sept. 8, 1565, by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. Menéndez de Avilés established St. Augustine to solidify Spain's claim to Florida and to protect Spanish treasure fleets from French and English pirates.

The Spanish settlers built the city on the site of a Native American village called Seloy. Its strategic location near the Atlantic Ocean made it ideal for defense and trade. Over the years, St. Augustine faced numerous attacks, including those by English privateer Sir Francis Drake in 1586 and later by English forces led by Governor James Moore of Carolina in 1702.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.

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