These Are 10 Of The Best Historic Downtowns On The West Coast

Abstract

• America’s historical past goes past 1776, with Spanish and Russian settlers forming a few of the oldest cities in California and Alaska within the sixteenth and 18th centuries.
• The West Coast is dwelling to lovely areas with unbelievable historical past, such because the historic downtown areas in Forest Grove, Oregon; Benicia, California; Vancouver, Washington; San Diego, California; Monterey, California; Sitka, Alaska; Steilacoom, Washington; Astoria, Oregon; Leavenworth, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska.
• These cities supply a glimpse into the previous with preserved brick buildings, historic websites, and cultural heritage that date again centuries, making them value exploring.

America’s historical past stretches far and huge and begins properly earlier than 1776. Within the sixteenth century, Spanish explorers fashioned settlements in what are as we speak a few of the oldest towns in California, adopted by Russians in modern-day Alaska within the 18th century. The Nineteenth-century Gold Rush introduced large development and growth and formed a big portion of the West Coast of North America.

Right this moment, the West Coast is extremely considered probably the most lovely areas within the US and residential to an unbelievable historical past that is value exploring. From the wilderness of Alaska to the seashores of California, these spots are dwelling to a few of the most historic downtown areas on the West Coast.

Associated: 10 Small Towns In Nevada To Visit For Their Historic Downtowns

10
Downtown Forest Grove, Oregon – Historical past Preserved For Almost 7 Generations

The town of Forest Grove has been rising steadily since earlier than it was formally established in 1872, and its historic downtown nonetheless hosts preserved brick buildings as we speak

Earlier than European immigrants settled in Forest Grove, Oregon, within the 1840s, the Kalapuya Indians and Tualatin tribes inhabited the land. For the reason that Eighteen Eighties, Forest Grove’s downtown district started to develop and noticed electrical energy, water amenities, brick buildings, and rail traces elevate the town.

In 1919, Forest Grove survived a devastating fire. Nevertheless, as a result of nearly all of the downtown buildings have been manufactured from brick, they remained intact and are nonetheless standing as we speak.

• Yr City Was Based: 1872
• Greatest Time to Go to: June-September
• High Points of interest: Valley Art Gallery, World’s Tallest Barber Pole, SakeOne

9
Downtown Benicia, California – The “Athens” Of California

Benicia was the capital of California for 13 months from 1853 to 1854 earlier than it was relocated to Sacramento, and its downtown space as we speak hosts dozens of historic websites

Vacationers who’re on the lookout for an exquisite mix of waterfront enjoyable and the wealthy historical past of California’s third State capital will discover it in Benicia.

First established in 1849, Benicia is likely one of the oldest towns on the West Coast and is thought as we speak because the “jewel of Solano County.” Vacationers can go to the Benicia State Capitol, which is now a State Park, and see dozens of historic websites within the Downtown Historic District such because the Benicia Arsenal, Benicia Clocktower, and Commanding Officers’ Quarters Mansion.

8
Downtown Vancouver, Washington – Exploring Washington’s Native American Roots

Since Lewis and Clark made their expedition by means of Washington State in 1806, Vancouver and its old-world downtown have been splendidly preserving historical past

To not be confused with British Columbia’s Vancouver, Vancouver in Washington State is a scenic and thrilling metropolis with an enchanting historical past that may transport guests again in time.

There are such a lot of things to do in Vancouver, Washington; nonetheless, visitors can expertise the majority of Vancouver’s historical past downtown on the Clark County Historical Museum, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and the Pearson Air Museum.

Associated: 12 Oldest Historic Towns In England To Visit In 2023

7
Previous City San Diego, California – The First European Settlement In California

Take a stroll round Previous City San Diego to find the well-preserved tradition and historical past of the very first European settlement in California

Based in 1769, San Diego, California, is a vibrant and deeply historic metropolis that is full of seashores, eccentric tradition, and preserved historical past. San Diego was the first European settlement in California and continues to cherish its Hispanic heritage to at the present time.

Vacationers can expertise San Diego’s historical past in each the Previous City San Diego and the extra fashionable Downtown San Diego. An absolute can’t-miss for historical past buffs is Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

6
Downtown Monterey, California – The Metropolis Of Many “Firsts”

Vacationers can get a style of each the previous and current in Monterey’s energetic and historic downtown district

Referred to as California’s first capital and the location of the primary public library, theater, public faculty, newspaper, and printing press, Monterey is rightly nicknamed the “Cradle of Historical past.”

Monterey’s downtown space is a treasure field of preserved historical past, seaside adventures, and charming streets that supply loads of actions for vacationers and households. Whereas visiting Monterey, visitors ought to comply with the Path of History downtown to expertise the early beginnings of California.

5
Downtown Sitka, Alaska – Uncover Alaska’s Russian Historical past

Sitka’s historic downtown space not solely gives attractive views of Alaska’s wildlife but additionally a deep look into Alaska’s Russian Historical past

Also known as the “Fishing Capital of Alaska,” Sitka is a fishing port city that also harbors Russian affect. From 1799 to 1867, Sitka remained under Russian rule and was often called “New Archangel City.”

Right this moment, there are many things to do in Sitka and its downtown space; guests can nonetheless discover St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral within the middle of downtown Sitka, which was the first Orthodox cathedral built in America in 1834!

WWII historical past buffs ought to go to Japonski Island adjoining to Sitka to be taught extra about its historical past because the headquarters for the Armed Forces in Sitka.

4
Downtown Steilacoom, Washington – Magnificence Of The Puget Sound

First inhabited by the Steilacoom Tribe, Steilacoom constructed a thriving downtown neighborhood, which is filled with historic points of interest as we speak and a very good place to study Native American historical past

Situated in Washington State’s lovely Puget Sound Area, the town of Steilacoom boasts an intensive historical past and gives guests a glimpse into the previous.

Just like Monterey, California, Steilacoom was a location for a lot of “firsts”, corresponding to the primary Territorial Courtroom, Protestant Church, brewery, jail, and faculty in Washington. Right this moment, vacationers can go to downtown Steilacoom and stroll by means of the Steilacoom Historical Museum, Fort Steilacoom, and the Steilacoom Tribal Cultural Center to be taught extra about Steilacoom’s Native American historical past.

• Yr City Was Based: 1854
• Greatest Time to Go to: July-August
• High Points of interest: Saltar’s Level Seashore, Pioneer Orchard Park, Sunnyside Seashore

Associated: 10 Charming Small Towns In America With The Most Historic Downtowns

3
Downtown Astoria, Oregon – The Oldest Metropolis In Oregon

Based in 1811, Astoria and its downtown space turned the primary American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains

Popularly recognized as we speak because the filming location for films corresponding to The Goonies (1985) and Kindergarten Cop (1990), Astoria and its historic downtown has a lot extra to supply!

From the towering Astoria Column to the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria gives quite a lot of pure magnificence, unbelievable historical past, and unforgettable views. Vacationers can step again in time to the Nineteenth century by visiting the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the Heritage Museum, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

2
Downtown Leavenworth, Washington – From Buying and selling Submit To Bavarian Gem

Initially named “Icicle Flats,” Leavenworth’s downtown has an enchanting historical past as a frontier buying and selling city that was remodeled right into a Bavarian village

What’s now a preferred Bavarian-themed vacationer vacation spot was as soon as a small Native American buying and selling submit within the Nineteenth century. With the devastation of the Nice Melancholy and the Nice Northern Railway pulling out of Leavenworth, the city was almost destroyed.

Within the Sixties, Leavenworth was transformed into a Bavarian Village to extend tourism. Right this moment, downtown Leavenworth comes alive through the fall and Winter months and is a magical vacation spot for all vacationers. Plus, Leavenworth is one of the most festive places to celebrate Christmas in Washington, because of the dazzling lights and decor and family-friendly vacation occasions annually.

1
Downtown Anchorage, Alaska – Humble Beginnings As A “Tent Metropolis” Sprung Into The Most Populous Metropolis In Alaska

A extra just lately settled metropolis, Anchorage and its busy downtown shortly boomed into Alaska’s business middle

Due to the Gold Rush within the late Nineteenth century, Anchorage was based, and the inhabitants soared within the area. Right this moment, Anchorage offers plenty to do, on condition that it’s Alaska’s largest and most-visited metropolis.

In downtown Anchorage, vacationers can discover the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Previous Anchorage Metropolis Corridor, the Anchorage Museum, and the Captain Prepare dinner Monument to find Alaska’s wealthy tradition and homage to its Native historical past.