Special Report

100 American Towns Founded Before the American Revolution

 
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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