18 American Towns Every Old-House Lover Needs to See

When a large swath of this Midwestern town was burned to the ground in Quantrill's Raid in 1863, it lost many of its historic homes. With a few notable exceptions, the old houses in Lawrence were built after the raid, from 1870 to 1920. Visitors will enjoy the city's collection of Folk-Victorian, Queen Anne, English Cottage, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes, especially in the 12-block expanse known as Old West Lawrence Historic District. Surrounding this throwback glamour is a colorful college town known for its vibrant arts and music scene.

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Ask Hoosiers where to explore the history of Indianapolis, and they might point you to Lockerbie Square. Here, architectural sightseers can wander the oldest neighborhood in the city and admire Federal, Italianate, and Queen Anne-style homes dating from 1855 to 1930. After the history lesson, entertain yourself at the theaters, art galleries, and eateries in one of Indianapolis's six cultural districts.

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Nestled in the northwest of our nation’s capital is Dupont Circle, a cosmopolitan neighborhood lined with shops, restaurants, and stunning turn-of-the-century architecture. The Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque row houses that grace the area were built from the 1880s to 1910 and can claim many famous politicians and dignitaries as former residents.

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A self-guided tour of this former Gold Rush town offers a scenic trek back to the turn of the century. Wander down Hillside Street to find Queen Anne and Eastlake-style homes dating from 1880 to 1920. Or, stop by the Carson Mansion in Old Town to get a glimpse of one of the most photographed Victorian homes in America.

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Perhaps better known for its historic lighthouses, Providence is also home to some of the oldest houses in Colonial America. Old house buffs should seek out the fine specimens from the late 1600s to the late 1800s that span the Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Second Empire, and Queen Anne styles, and lend the city a centuries-old charm.

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Once called the "most interesting spot in the state" by Thomas Jefferson, Lynchburg offers many architectural marvels. The city's four historic districts boast Federal, Greek Revival, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival homes built between the early 1800s and 1900s, giving downtown Lynchburg its old-town appeal.

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Founded in 1780 as a frontier fortification, Washington and its antebellum edifices have remained true to the city's Revolution-era roots. Greek Revival plantations and mansions dating from the turn of the 19th century to the early 1900s have been well preserved for future residents.

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Locals may joke that there are more cattle than people in Cheyenne, but this jewel in the former Wild West also has an abundance of historic homes and other buildings. The Lakeview Historic District encompasses homes built between 1880 and 1930. Pre-1900 constructions include Queen Anne and Italianate-style homes, while bungalows and American Foursquare-style homes dominate the early 20th century constructions.

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It’s easy to see why so many people flock to Portsmouth, named one of the best places to live by Money magazine. The city boasts four colleges, acres of gardens and parks, and charming homes from yesteryear. You'll find some of the most interesting homes, including Colonial Revival cottages and Cape Cods, in the Atlantic Heights neighborhood, developed from 1918 to 1920, near the Piscataqua River.

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Far from the glitter and glitz of Las Vegas, southwest Reno offers scenic views of vintage homes along the Truckee River. In Newland Heights, one of the oldest land developments in the city, Colonial Revival and French chateau-style homes coexist with Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman bungalows built primarily between the 1920s and 1940s. If you're looking to buy, there are deals to be had in the current buyer’s market.

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Even if you've got your heart set on hardwood flooring, it's worth considering the alternatives. Sometimes, materials that only look like wood can be just as good as—or even better than—the real thing. Explore your options now!