The United States of America is a big country that has a rich history. If you are interested in the past and the events that took place centuries ago, this is only good news. There are a lot of museums you can explore if you want to find out everything about our nation’s history, but nothing will ever compare with the feeling of exploring history in person.
If you are wondering how you can do that, you should know that it is actually quite simple. All you have to do is pack your bags and escape the big city for a while. Go on an adventure across some of the most beautiful small towns in America, and we can guarantee you won’t regret it.
These places are filled with history. Every street, every building, and sometimes even the trees have a story to tell. Read on and make sure to not skip these gorgeous historical small towns on your next trip.
1. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
The history of this town began when the Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered the current site of the town. The pine forests and the white-sand beaches impressed the Spanish and made them settle there.
During the California mission, the Franciscan missionaries built the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. The building was founded in 1770. The mission is still in place today and can be visited by anyone who is willing to.
After its incorporation in 1916, Carmel-by-the-Sea became a popular hotspot for artists such as painters, writers, and other creative individuals. One well-known resident of this town is the author Jack London.
If you want to find out more about this place, you must visit the Carmel Library. There you can find more than 2500 volumes that include local papers, theater scripts, poetry, and many more. Another fun fact is that between 1986 and 1988, the mayor of this town was the actor Clint Eastwood.
2. Marfa, Texas
In 1883, the town of Marfa was founded as a water stop and a railway freight headquarters. During World War II, in the 1940s, the town was an important flight training base.
The name of this place comes from a fictional character in the novel The Brothers Karamazov, written by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Marfa was known for her creative side and free spirit. And during the late 1970s, after artist Donald Judd relocated here, one of the biggest contemporary art galleries in the USA, the Chinati Foundation, was founded in Marfa.
One of the most famous art pieces that you can see in this town is the Prada installation made by Elmgreen & Dragset. The installation is built along U.S. Route 90, and if you are not careful, it looks like any storefront you have seen.
If you know about the film Giant, starring Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean, you should know that it was filmed in Marfa and brought attention to the Marfa Ghost Lights. This phenomenon, consisting of some strange lights that resembled car headlights, was attributed to UFOs or ghosts.
3. Sitka, Alaska
The first people who ever lived on these grounds were the Tlingit people, about 10,000 years ago. They called this place Shee Atika (meaning “people from the outside of Shee). Probably they were referring to the fact that they were not living on nearby Barnof Island.
Now, if you want to visit the town of Sitka, you should know that this place is only accessible by plane or boat. Unfortunately, you can’t access it by car, and this can make a trip here somewhat troublesome.
During 1799, Russians settled in Sitka and established a fur trading post. Later on, the place became the capital of Russian America. In 1867, America purchased Alaska from Russia, and today, every year on October 18th (Alaska Day), there is a whole ceremony of lowering the Russian flag and raising the American one.
Besides kayaking, hiking, and whale watching, the city of Sitka has many other activities to offer. You can visit the Sitka National Historical Park and learn more about the history of the Tlingit people and the history of the Russian occupation. Also, the Russian Bishop’s House is a national landmark that you should not miss if you visit Sitka.
4. Williamsburg, Virginia
In 1632, the city was founded as Middle Plantation. Later on, in 1699, it was renamed Williamsburg and served as the capital of the Virginia Colony until 1780. Together with Yorktown and Jamestown, Williamsburg is part of Virginia’s historic triangle. This means that all three cities mentioned above have a rich history and are worth visiting if you are interested in finding out more about our ancestors.
There are many protected historical sites nearby Williamsburg, including Yorktown Battlefield, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Jamestown Settlement. In Colonial Williamsburg, you can find the King William County Courthouse. This is the oldest courthouse in America, and it was built in 1725. Also, don’t forget to visit the Capitol Building, the Governor’s Palace, and Duke of Gloucester Street.
5. Poulsbo, Washington
Originally, the town that sits along Liberty Bay was the home of the Suquamish tribe. Fun fact: The city of Seattle was named after the leader of this tribe, Chief Seattle. In the 1880s, Norwegian settlers took over this land and founded the town of Poulsbo. Today, this town is part of the Seattle metropolitan area.
Because of its strong Scandinavian heritage, the town of Poulsbo is also known as “Little Norway.” One place that you have to visit if you end up in Poulsbo is the Poulsbo Historical Society and Museum. Learn more about the Norwerinag settlers and the role of this town in the timber industry.
The historic downtown is another place that you can visit because it has many well-preserved buildings dating back to the 1900s that were built in Scnadivain fashion. Also, the Poulsbo Cemetry can help you learn more about the struggles of the early pioneers by reading the texts that are written on their gravestones.
6. Taos, New Mexico
The town of Taos was incorporated in 1934, but its history dates back thousands of years when the area was inhabited by the Taos people, who used to craft pottery and build pueblos into the rocks.
In the early 1800s, the town of Taos was an important trading center. Wool, furs, and other goods were traded here along the Santa Fe Trail.
Later on, in the early 20th century, many artists moved here, and the town became an artistic hub. Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, and the painter Georgia O’Keeffe popularized this place and promoted it as an art colony. In 1915, the Taos Society of Artists was founded, and the artistic life of the town was blooming.
One place that you need to visit is Taos Pueblo. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and if you want to learn more about the history of the people inhabiting Pueblo, visiting this place is a must.
We mentioned the Taos Society of Arts earlier, and if you are interested in finding out more about it, you can’t miss the Harwood Museum of Art. There you can find old collections dating back to the Taos Society of Arts era as well as contemporary pieces made by local artists.
You should also read: 8 Beautiful Caves You Won’t Believe Are in The US
