My City/Town, Its Age, and Its Oldest Building by Ross Bassett

Durham, NC: The Old Bull Building

2025-08-19 01:44:47 UTC

Built in 1874 by Blackwell and Co's Durham Tobacco

Currently used as residential and commercial space

Clinton, NJ: The Red Mill

2025-08-19 03:27:37 UTC

Elon, NC Est. 1881

2025-08-19 04:47:14 UTC

Hendersonville, NC: The Ripley Building

2025-08-19 13:49:27 UTC

Built in 1848 by Colonel Valentine Ripley. It has been an autoshop, an office space, a restaurant, an armory, and a skating rink in its history. It is now a restaurant and apartment building. It is not a conspicuous building and hides in the shadows of the courthouse.

Willow Spring, NC: The Frank & Mary Smith House

2025-08-19 14:09:31 UTC

The Frank and Mary Smith House was built in 1888, and was recognized as being a part of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in September 2003. Its architecture style is currently listed as "Gothic Revival."

Fun fact: The Turner and Amelia Smith House was also built in the 1880s, but was recognized by the NRHP in July 2005, two years later than the home of Frank and Mary Smith.

Lorton, VA: How the Remains of an Old Prison Came to be a Growing Suburban Community

2025-08-19 14:25:14 UTC

Starting in 1910, Lorton, VA was originally homed to prisoners, serving as a rehabilitation community. The prison was then sold to Fairfax County due to a variety of problems that arise at the prison. Today, Lorton is home to more than 21,000 people, with the prison still standing at the city's core.

Huntersville, NC: Hugh Torance House and Store

hostolar — 2025-08-19 14:51:52 UTC

Built in 1779 by Hugh Torance, originally it was a single story log cabin however the Torance family renovated and expanded it into the house you see. After being established as a local historic landmark it became a museum so that current residents of Mecklenburg county can see what life looked like 200 years ago.

Manchester, MD: The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church

2025-08-19 16:10:09 UTC

The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1760, characterized by a blend of English and German culture. Records of the church have been lost over time, but it is known that Manchester houses the first ever place of worship in Carroll County Maryland. Manchester itself became an official lawful town in 1833.

High Point, NC: Lane House

2025-08-19 16:28:11 UTC

This house was built in 1718 and is still standing strong after 300 years. High Point is known worldwide mainly for its furniture, so antique designs and structures aren't out of the norm. This is the oldest house in the entirety of North Carolina and continues to amaze residents today.

Frisco, Texas: Frisco High School

2025-08-19 18:26:20 UTC

Built in 1902, The Original Frisco High School is 123 years old today. In 1996, Frisco High School was moved to a new location where it resides until today, and the old building was turned into a middle school.

Reidsville, NC: Richardson Houses

jcperki3 — 2025-08-19 18:32:25 UTC

In 1840, Robert Payne Richardson had this house built to be his home. It has been periodically updated. It encompasses 17 buildings and 2 contributing structures. This house does not accurately represent the rest of Reidsville, NC. Mostly Reidsville holds smaller one story houses. Its largest most recent addition was made in 1912. It uses an Italian, Greek, and classical revival architectural style.

Reidsville, NC: Another Richardson Houses post

2025-08-19 19:20:41 UTC

In the 1840s, one of the earliest settlers of Reidsville's son in law built of series of homes now called the Richardson houses. The largest home was sold for 1 millions dollars 4 years ago and is now used for wedding and event venues.

Asheboro, NC: Asheboro Female Academy

jepalma1 — 2025-08-19 19:56:47 UTC

Asheboro was officially founded on December 25th, 1796 (Yes, Christmas Day). The oldest standing building is the Asheboro Girls Academy, which was built in 1839. This was the first school for girls in Asheboro, and it is considered a landmark in my hometown.

Huntersville NC: Hugh Torance House

sesumutk — 2025-08-19 20:00:45 UTC

Hugh Torance was an Irish American immigrant and after moving to Mecklenburg County built this house. While the exact date is unknown, it is thought to be built sometime between between 1780 and the early 1800s. This house is the oldest because it was the only house to survive from this period.

Staten Island, NY: The Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House (1662)

2025-08-19 20:10:48 UTC

The Billiou–Stillwell–Perine House is a Dutch Colonial structure originally built by Pierre Billiou, a Huguenot who arrived at New Amsterdam fleeing religious persecution. His daughter Martha inherited the property and resided there with her husband, Thomas Stillwell. Their descendants, the Brittons, owned it until the mid-18th century. It was then acquired in 1758 by Edward Perine, whose family owned it until 1913. The building is now owned by Historic Richmond Town, a farm/museum complex in Staten Island, and is occasionally opened to the public (I've been inside, actually).

Hendersonville, NC: The Ripley - Shepherd Building

2025-08-19 20:53:57 UTC

The Ripley - Shepherd Building was built in 1848 by Col. Valentine Ripley. It has been used as a general store, post office, and Confederate Commissary. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places .

Apex, NC: Apex Union Depot

2025-08-19 21:42:28 UTC

The town of Apex began as a highest point and on the 30 mile Chatham railroad. Trains would stop there to refill their water before going into Raleigh. Consequently, the Union Depot was one of the first buildings in town, constructed in 1870. Originally it was a wooden shack, but it burnt down and was rebuilt in 1915.

Wilhelmshaven, Germany: Kaiser-Wilhelm bridge

2025-08-19 21:44:51 UTC

The Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge in Wilhelmshaven is the city’s most iconic landmark. It was built in 1907 and, back then, was the largest swing bridge in Europe, that can rotate. Today it still opens for ships and is a cool spot to walk across, especially to reach the beach area and to meet people.

Shelby, NC: The Earl Scruggs Center/Old Courthouse

asprueme — 2025-08-19 23:00:23 UTC

Built in 1907, the Shelby Courthouse was used as (you'll never believe it) a courthouse until 1974. With the courthouse having been moved to the Shelby law enforcement building, the Old Courthouse was refurbished into a museum for Cleveland County, and later housed the Earl Scruggs Center, which seeks to preserve and promote southern musical arts.

Hamburg, Germany: Lighthouse on the island of Neuwerk

2025-08-19 23:53:48 UTC

Even though it isn't located in the city of Hamburg, the lighthouse on the island of Neuwerk officially counts as it's oldest building. The island in the northern sea is an exclave, approximately 75 miles west of Hamburg. The lighthouse was built in 1310 and it takes 138 steps to reach the top. While only 40 people live on the island, yearly more than 100.000 take the ferry to Neuwerk in order to visit.

Raleigh, NC: Joel Lane House

nbbinkle — 2025-08-20 00:02:45 UTC

The Joel Lane House, the oldest house in Raleigh and Wake County as a whole, was built in 1769 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Joel Lane, the man after whom the house was named, was a very influential man in the politics of colonial North Carolina and lobbied for the creation of Wake County.

Boone, NC: Jones House Cultural Center

2025-08-20 00:10:26 UTC

The Jones House was built in 1908 as the home of Dr. John Walter Jones and his family. The house was donated to the town of Boone in 1983 when it was preserved as a community and cultural center. A rotating art gallery (Mazie Jones Gallery) displaying various local artists' works is now located in the Jones House!

Memmingen, Germany: "Großzunft"-building

2025-08-20 00:21:15 UTC

It was built in 1453 as a ball and social hall of the merchants in the city. It is located in the center of the city at the market place. Today the passport office, immigration office, and the residents’ registration office are located there.

Sylva, NC: The C. J. Harris Building

bjsiegle — 2025-08-20 01:27:46 UTC

When concerning historic buildings in Sylva, NC, the oldest left standing in its original form and intent without severe renovation is the aptly named "C. J. Harris Building."

Constructed in 1902 by industrialist C. J. Harris, the structure originally served as a general store and commissary for the nearby Harris Tannery. While the tannery is technically older than the C. J. Harris Building, being constructed in 1901, it has since deviated substantially from its original intent into a paper mill. Regardless, with the combination of the tannery and general store, the fledgling town of Sylva was able to receive commercial attention, kickstarting its path to official recognition as a county seat in 1913.

As Sylva has continued to grow and evolve, the C. J. Harris Building has remained a commercial hub, housing a variety of businesses within its doors.

Despite the building's age, it is not often regarded as a "remarkable" historic site. Such an honor is primarily given to the Jackson County Courthouse, which boasts an elegant mix of Greek and Southern architecture.

Jefferson, NC:

2025-08-20 01:28:54 UTC

Jefferson, NC, was officially charted by the state government in 1803. The oldest public building still standing is the Historic Ashe County Courthouse, completed in 1904, and it is now a museum.

Link to the image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ashe_County_Courthouse.jpg

Washington, D.C.

2025-08-20 01:33:52 UTC

The old Stone house is located in Georgetown, now a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Georgetown, located on the banks of the Potomac river was once its own city, developed around the port of Georgetown, the last port inland before impassable Great Falls. The old Stone house now serves as a NPS gift shop.

Cary, NC: The Nancy Jones House

2025-08-20 01:34:55 UTC

Built in 1803, the Nancy Jones House functioned as both a stagecoach stop and a tavern. It received visits from numerous governors and is suspected to have functioned as a schoolhouse after the Civil War.

Stokesdale, North Carolina: John King's General Store.

jegatewo — 2025-08-20 01:46:09 UTC

John King's General Store was established during the 1860s, back in the days when Stokesdale was known as Green Pond. It served as a thriving center of a small community, as well as a temporary Post Office during the Civil War.

Mühlacker-Dürrmenz: Kazenmaier-Haus

2025-08-20 02:22:53 UTC

Würzburg, First mentioned in 704, Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church)

2025-08-20 03:56:52 UTC

Located in the inner courtyard of the Marienberg Fortress it is the oldest building in Würzburg. It was originally constructed in 706 and rebuilt several times with new elements.

atburke1 — 2025-08-20 04:12:43 UTC

Wooster was founded in 1808. Its oldest building is the Beall House but I don't know much about so I've attached a picture of what used to be the old town jail. We've since made a new one but the Olde Jaol now serves as a restaurant.

Cali, Colombia: La Merced Church

2025-08-20 04:17:34 UTC

Iglesia La Merced was founded in 1541 by the friar of the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar. According to tradition, the church stands on the spot where the first Mass was held and my city was founded. In 1678, the chapel was rebuilt.

Today, it is also an archeological museum, hosting several artifacts from pre-Columbian times and indigenous cultures.

Kernersville, NC (Incorporated in 1871, existed earlier): Weaning Cabin (or Tobacco Barn)

2025-08-20 05:31:33 UTC

Unfortunately, I could not find specifically what was the oldest building in existence in Kernersville. However, it seems this Weaning Cabin (Shown Above) or Tobacco Barn are likely the oldest or at least one of the oldest buildings. They were transported to and rebuilt at the location of the Kernersville Museum around 2018 to 2019 but were built probably sometime in the 1800s. The weaning cabin was a building lived in recently married couples. The oldest building that was in Kernersville but is no longer is Dobson's Tavern, which was built by William Dobson at Kernersville sometime in the 1700s. Also, a fun fact, the town would eventually be named after Joseph Kerner, a German immigrant.

Site of Dobson's Tavern Historical Marker

Historic Village | kernersvillemuseum

Historic Buildings Moved To Kernersville Museum | wfmynews2.com

Town History | kernersvillemuseum

Wertigen, Germany: Schloss Wertingen, built in 1354

2025-08-20 12:45:53 UTC

The Wertingen Castle was built in 1354, later expanded, and today stands as an impressive double-castle complex with towers and historic charm. It now houses the city administration, includes the local history museum, and serves as a popular venue for cultural events.

Bamberg

2025-08-20 12:50:38 UTC

Bamberg has around 77.000 inhabitants. One of its oldest and probably most famous buildings is the "Bamberger Dom", a cathedral.

The city's history dates back to the 10th century, with significant development under Emperor Henry II, who envisioned it as a second Rome.

Magdeburg, 805, The Monastery of Our Lady

2025-08-20 14:28:16 UTC

The Monastery of Our Lady in Magdeburg was built in the 11th century and is one of the oldest Romanesque buildings in Germany. It was first a monastery and later also a school. Since the 1970s, it has been an art museum. Today, it is an important cultural place and part of the “Romanesque Road.”

Frankfurt, Germany

2025-08-20 14:32:45 UTC

Frankfurt was first mentioned as a city in the year 794. As of 2022, it had about 773,000 inhabitants, making it the most populous city in Hesse and the fifth most populous city in Germany. Its oldest building is the „St.-Justin-Church“, which was constructed between 830 and 850. The church is not only one of the oldest in Germany but also renowned for its architectural and historical significance, including Gothic elements.

Town of Pineville, City of Charlotte - The Younts House

2025-08-20 15:21:42 UTC

This was originally the residence of a blacksmith and merchant who settled in Pineville (then Morrow's Turnout) in around 1873 after the American Civil War. It is registered in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, but is now privately owned by a Charlotte-based real estate investment company (Gvest Capital).

Raleigh, NC: Joel Lane House

2025-08-20 16:09:09 UTC

The Joel Lane House (Wakefield) is considered the oldest residential dwelling in Raleigh and the greater Wake County area. Built in 1769 by Joel Lane, the "Father" of both Raleigh and Wake County, it stood on a small hill at the center of a large plantation overlooking the area that would eventually become the downtown area of our state's capital. The house was restored and turned into a museum in the late 1920s by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, who continue to ensure its preservation. It has remained relatively unchanged for over 250 years.

Yadkinville, NC: Hampton Family House

2025-08-20 16:28:50 UTC

Hampton Family House is the oldest house in Yadkin County built circa 1757 by Thomas Hampton. Hampton's son Henry Hampton was a colonel in the Revolutionary War and founded the town of Hamptonville. The house has remained in the family for over 250 years. The town of Yadkinville was founded in 1857 as the seat of Yadkin County. Currently, it has a population of around 2,900. Yadkin County, as of 2019, has a population over 37,600.

Kassel, Germany

2025-08-20 16:29:02 UTC

I choose Kassel for three reasons.

I do not live there anymore but I was born there.
I am studying in Wilhelmshaven, Germany but another student does too. Because he was born there, I fell like he has the right to report about his city.
No one else writes about Kassel.

Kassel was first mentioned in the year 913 but it is even older because at that time, there was already as defense system build.

Nowadays Kassel has nearly 200.000 inhabitants and has a city area of over 100km^2 or 30 squermils.

Kassel is known for the stature of Herkules (a man with incredible strength, according to Greek myths). As well as the city center and the beautiful nature of the Kassler Mountains that surround the city.

The picture shows the monastery church located at the edge of the city. The first chapel was built at this place in the years around 1100. The church is still in good shape. It was part of an entire monastery complex, which fall apart after Reformation.

Apex, NC: The Depot

2025-08-20 16:31:30 UTC

The Depot was built between 1867 and 1873, in what is now the heart of Historic Downtown Apex. A Wake County landmark, it was once a working railroad depot station but now serves as the location for the Apex Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Staff.

Fayetteville, NC (1783): Cool Spring Place

krlundbe — 2025-08-20 16:43:42 UTC

It was originally known as the Cool Spring Tavern, was built in 1788, and is believed to be the longest standing structure in the city! Not only this, but it happens to be one of the oldest buildings in North Carolina as a whole.

Allersberg, Germany

2025-08-20 17:06:24 UTC

The Catholic Church “All Saints” is the oldest place of worship and at the same time the oldest building in Allersberg. The tower dates back to the 12th century. The church, built in Romanesque style, is surrounded by a defensive wall, large parts of which are still preserved. Inside the church, significant works of art can be found. Particularly noteworthy are the late Gothic Madonna on the left side altar (around 1460), the Pietà on the right side altar (between 1400 and 1420), a statue of St. Sebastian, as well as the delicate small organ (1731).

Orlando, Florida: Rogers Building

2025-08-20 17:11:31 UTC

Built in 1886, The Rogers-Kiene was originally an English Pub, but is now home to the Downtown Art's District in Florida. The building was also once a newspaper center, dance hall, tire store, and a plethora of restaurants. For a interesting fact, during the season of Halloween, Rogers-Kiene is the very first building featured in the Orlando Hauntings: a walking tour of historical and haunted buildings !

Winston Salem, NC

2025-08-20 17:32:36 UTC

"The oldest building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the Single Brothers' House, built in 1769. It's located within Old Salem Museums & Gardens and was originally built to house unmarried Brethren, or members of the Moravian Church."

Fun Fact: It remains a popular field trip location for elementary school students.

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany: Bell tower

helenfrank5555 — 2025-08-20 17:46:38 UTC

Bell tower dating from around 1228, which today houses the bells of St. Cross Minster.

History: Built in the Romanesque style, it originally served as a Romanesque residence and now houses the bells of the minster.