12 MOST DISTINCTIVE US TOWNS

Among the top 12 communities on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual list of distinctive destinations include a Colorado mining town with some of the most well-preserved Puebloan ruins in the United States, an 18th century jewel on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and a southern city linked to a defining moment in American history.

The list “shines a spotlight on interesting places in America that are dedicated to preservation,” not to mention of historic significance, says Tracey Quinn, director of communications for the National Trust.

2007 Distinctive Cities

Here are the 12 communities identified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and what made each destination standout:

Charlottesville, Va.: picture-perfect college town that includes the homes of U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

Chatham, Mass.: former haven for sea captains with an architecturally rich walkable downtown and some of the best unspoiled beaches on the East Coast.

Chestertown, Md.: a Revolutionary era port with a treasure trove of perfectly preserved 18th and 19th century homes.

Durango, Colo.: spectacular, well-preserved Puebloan ruins as well as a glimpse into the old West.

Ellensburg, Wash.: wonderfully preserved Victorian town near some of the best fly fishing in the Northwest.

Hillsborough, N.C.: important in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and boasts a historic downtown district and original, rare NASCAR speedway from the inaugural 1949 season.

Little Rock, Ark.: scores of well-preserved buildings, an important Native American site, a WWII era submarine, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge, and a site that forever changed race relations in this country.

Mineral Point, Wis.: a wealth of architectural history with its Cornish rock houses, Craftsman bungalows, simple log cabins, and neoclassical confections.

Morgantown, W.Va.: a vibrant and active downtown combined with a riverfront park on the Monongahela River and an amphitheatre and miles of paved trail for recreational activities.

Providence, R.I.: the capital of one of the nation’s 13 original colonies and a colorful 4th century history that is proudly and prominently displayed in landmark structures.

West Hollywood, Calif.: a quirky yet sophisticated urban village with diverse historic architecture, including the 1922 Rudolf Schindler House.

Woodstock, Ill.: Victorian village of Woodstock, Ill., that served as a stand-in for Punxsutawney, Pa., in the 1992 movie Groundhog Day.

By Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR® Magazine Online