Special Report
100 American Towns Founded Before the American Revolution
February 1, 2019 2:58 pm
Last Updated: March 13, 2020 2:40 pm
Source: Doug Kerr / Flickr
41. Greenwich, Connecticut
> Founded: 1665
> Population: 13,429
Settlers from Massachusetts were the first to purchase the patch of land that is now Greenwich, right between the Asamuck and Patomuck rivers.
Source: Peter RIntels / Flickr
42. Lyme, Connecticut
> Founded: 1667
> Population: 2,406
Lyme was named after Lyme Regis in England. The town separated from Saybrook in 1665 and was named Lyme in 1667.
Source: AvatarKnowmad / iStock
43. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
> Founded: 1668
> Population: 13,941
Sault Ste. Marie was founded by French settlers and is the oldest city in Michigan.
Source: ovidiuhrubaru / iStock
44. Charleston, South Carolina
> Founded: 1670
> Population: 129,888
King Charles II of England gave the Carolina territory to eight friends who helped restore the monarchy.
Source: Rold_52 / iStock
45. Edgartown, Massachusetts
> Founded: 1671
> Population: 649
Settled by English immigrants Thomas Mayhew Sr. and his son Thomas Jr.
Source: j76n / iStock
46. Nantucket, Massachusetts
> Founded: 1671
> Population: 7,830
Nantucket was populated by the Wampanoag Native American tribe until the land was deeded to Thomas Mayhew Sr. and his son Thomas Jr.
Source: Doug Kerr / Flickr
47. Derby, Connecticut
> Founded: 1675
> Population: 12,755
English fur traders were among the first Europeans in the area. Native American tribes such as the Paugassetts and the Pootatucks had inhabited the area long before the English.
Source: benkrut / iStock
48. Peoria, Illinois
> Founded: 1680
> Population: 115,990
French explorers including Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle founded Peoria, Illinois. Peoria is the name of the predominant Native American tribes in the Illinois confederacy.
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock
49. Ysleta, Texas
> Founded: 1680
> Population: 9,232
Ysleta, now a section of El Paso, was founded by Franciscan missionaries and Spanish settlers.
Source: jamegaw / iStock
50. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Founded: 1682
> Population: 1,559,938
William Penn and the Quakers founded Philadelphia as a place of religious tolerance.
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