5 towns in America where it feels like time stopped 100 years ago

We live in the time of high-speed trains and soaring skyscrapers but then there are some corners of the United States that seem to have resisted the march of time. These places are still all about cobblestone streets, Victorian houses and horse-drawn carriages! Yes, you read that right. These settlements are dotted with century-old architecture which take visitors back in time to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When here, it feels like time stopped some 100 years ago!

On this note, let’s have a look at five American towns where stepping onto the main street feels like walking into a history book.

Not many must be aware that St. Augustine is America's oldest continuously inhabited city. The city was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine. While the town has modern amenities, its historic district remains wonderfully preserved. Visitors stroll through narrow brick-paved lanes lined with Spanish Colonial buildings, centuries-old churches and charming courtyards. Castillo de San Marcos, from the late 17th century, dominates the waterfront. Horse-drawn carriage rides.

Best time to visit: March to May or September to November.

Nestled in the Mule Mountains near the Mexican border, Bisbee is a former copper mining town that seems to have preserved its old-world character. The town rose to prominence after substantial copper reserves were discovered in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can explore its brightly painted Victorian-era houses, historic hotels, charming antique stores and remnants of its rich mining heritage that still stand across the town.


Best time to visit October to April.

Next in line is Nevada, which is your living Wild West Town! It’s the perfect place to recreate the series. The town boomed during the Comstock Lode silver rush of the 1860s, becoming one of America's richest mining communities. Today, the town has another story to tell, of wooden sidewalks, saloons and Victorian buildings and vintage storefronts look almost unchanged from photographs taken more than a century ago.

Best time to visit: April to October.

Ever heard of Galena? If not, it’s time to explore this historic town. Set amid rolling hills along the Mississippi River, the place is also known as one of America's best-preserved 19th-century towns. During the mid-1800s, it was a thriving river port and mining centre. Today the town has retained nearly 85 percent of its historic buildings. One of its top attractions is the home of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who later became the 18th President of the United States.

Best time to visit: September to October for autumn colours.

Jim Thorpe, aka Switzerland of America, because of its mountainous setting, is known for its century old Victorian architecture. The town was originally founded as Mauch Chunk in the early 19th century, the town prospered through coal mining and the railroad industry. Its grand opera house, elegant mansions, old railway station and beautifully preserved commercial district continue to reflect that prosperous era.

Best time to visit September and October.