8 Towns in the Northern United States that Transport You to the Past
Many small towns have qualities that draw people to them, whether it's their location, architecture, or theme. These small towns have those charms, too, but adding to that is their history and the way they are showcased, which takes you back in time to the moment you set eyes on them. For some, like Cape May, it's their distinctive and plentiful Victorian architecture. For Dodge City, it's the gunslingers, gamblers, and lawmen that made every day eventful. Luckily, these small towns preserve and present whatever they are famous for so that people will want to come and see them.
Cape May, NJ
Its close proximity to Philadelphia turned Cape May into America's "first seaside resort" and was a popular vacation destination in the mid-nineteenth century. After a devastating fire in 1878 destroyed over half of the town, residents rebuilt their homes in the style of the day, which is called Victorian after Queen Victoria of England. Since she reigned for 63 years, many styles of architecture are included in this period.
These distinctive buildings stand two or three stories high, with their turrets and rounded edges, outside balconies, and ornate "gingerbread" trim. Some are colorful as well, and many have been turned into bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and restaurants. The town has gone to great lengths to preserve these beautiful buildings, which can be seen in the historic district and throughout the town. Of particular note are the Atlantic Terrace Houses on Jackson Street, the George Boyd and Charles Burns houses on Beach Avenue, and St. Mary's by the Sea in Cape May Point. Visitors can easily imagine being back in this grand era, dressed in fine clothing, strolling the promenade along the ocean. Be sure to bring your fancy hat or parasol!
Punxsutawney, PA
When you hear "Punxsutawney," you immediately think of Groundhog Day. Not the movie necessarily, but the excitement of the annual ceremony. Will Phil see his shadow? Will he predict an early spring? The town officials all dressed up in overcoats and tophats, the large crowds gathered around them on Gobbler's Knob, and the anticipation until finally someone reaches in and brings out the strange creature that would predict the weather to come.
Punxsutawney, which is about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, makes the most of its one-day-of-the-year fame. Humorous statues of Phil are all around town, and many businesses allude to Phil or the Day in their names, like Phil's Official Souvenir Shop, Phil's Burrow, Weather Discovery Museum (lots of hands-on fun for kids), and Groundhog Grindz Cafe. A self-guided walking tour takes you to the Groundhog Day hot spots and can be enjoyed whether it's February 2 or not.
Mackinac Island, MI
Tourists to this charming town get around on horseback, horse-drawn carriages, or under their own foot power, for cars are not permitted on Mackinac Island. Even your arrival is via a ferry. Right away, the pace of life seems slower and more relaxed and harkens back to simpler times. Take a history tour in a horse-drawn wagon or a self-guided walking or biking tour and see what life was like on the island from pre-colonial times into the 1950s as you take in the gorgeous landscaping and French-Canadian architecture.
In the summer, visit Colonial Michilimackinac and watch archaeologists at work on an actual dig. Costumed interpreters also provide demonstrations and programs related to life in those times.
Lindstrom, MN
America's Little Sweden is just 35 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul and is located 10 miles from the Wisconsin state line but far removed in culture and time. In July, the town's Karl Oskar Days festival (formerly The Water Carnival) celebrates Swedish influences with food, music, and events. The town is literally surrounded by lakes, so water activities like kayaking, boating, fishing, paddle boarding, canoeing, and more are popular. In winter, residents and visitors take up skiing and snowmobiling, and when the lakes freeze over, ice fishing is a favorite pastime.
Explore Allemansratt Wilderness Park and the Swedish Immigrant Trail for a bit of history among the beauty of unspoiled nature.
Dodge City, KS
Imagine being seated at the bar when the saloon doors swing wide, and lawman Wyatt Earp walks in, his shiny badge giving him away. He pushes his cowboy hat back to get a better look at the bar patrons. Satisfied, he turns and walks back outside into the hot Kansas sun. Not missing a beat, Miss Kitty begins to sing.
Scenes like this were common in the 1870s, and are reenacted in Dodge City today so visitors can enjoy what it was like when gunslingers and gamblers lined the bar stools, Earp and Bat Masterson kept order of sorts, and Doc Holliday patched up men that were injured in the rowdy streets.
Visit Boot Hill Museum for interactive displays of the town's history. Take a historic trolley tour to hear about the people and hijinx that made Dodge City famous. The town also has a commemorative Liberty Garden to honor those who died on September 11, 2001. It includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, limestone from the Pentagon, and sandstone from Flight 93's crash site in Shanksville, PA.
Deadwood, SD
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, it need not be a holiday or any special season to have fun in Deadwood. Relive the thrills of the gold rush that made the town a Wild West hot spot. Walk the streets where Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Poker Alice made history and even visit their final resting places.
Expect the unexpected to pop up right in front of you, whether that's a posse looking for outlaws or a duel in the street. Pull up a stool at one of many saloons or a blackjack table in one of many casinos. Located in the Black Hills National Forest, the area has lots of outdoor activities, too, like skiing and snowmobiling in winter and hiking and biking the trails in warmer seasons. Attractions, restaurants, and bars are open all year.
Sturbridge, MA
Native Americans called this area Tantiusques, but when English colonists settled here around 1730, they named it after their hometown, Stourbridge, in Worcestershire, England. Today, Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum depicting everyday life in the 1830s rural village.
Some 40 buildings were brought from various New England towns to the site's 200+ acres, where they were researched and restored to ensure accurate presentations. Costumed interpreters practice common tasks from the day. See the blacksmith, cabinetmaker, potter, baker, printer, and others at work in their shops, then wander down the road and talk with the farmer plowing his field. Old Sturbridge Village's gardens contain over 400 native plants. The site is about an hour's drive from Boston.
Wickford, RI
Many pretty small towns exist throughout the US, especially those on the water, but several things set Wickford Village apart. First, the plan for the town began in 1709, and many of the buildings from those early years are still in use, having been well preserved and cared for. Second, the village was originally a fishing town, which meant the men were often out at sea, leaving the townswomen to establish and run the businesses in the village. This tradition continues to this day; women have a prominent role in the village's history and still own most of the shops in town.
Take a walking tour of the village and see the Colonial and Federal architecture of its homes and public buildings. Explore the one-of-a-kind, local women-owned shops selling everything from items for the home to fine art to antiques. Depending on the season, you might rent a kayak and head out into the picturesque harbor or enjoy the view while staying warm and cozy inside a village cafe.
From Wickford, RI, to Deadwood, SD, small towns that take you back to another time are plentiful in the Northern US. Each offers something special that you won't find in large cities. They have a unique history that their townspeople are proud of and go to great lengths to preserve. The trick, however, is that since they are not large cities, you don't hear about them, so they can be hard to find. You're fortunate when you come across them, and all that's left for you to do is book your trip, pack your bags, and go.
