10 Oldest Buildings In America

San Jose Church. Photo By Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen – Wikimedia Commons

10 Oldest Buildings In America

Present archaeological discoveries have dated the oldest American structures to the Woodland Period (1000BC -1000AD), the fourth of six American periods in North American prehistory.

While some of these buildings have become ruins, most from the 16^th and 17^th centuries have maintained their complete form. These buildings have become rich historical places and national landmarks of their respective states.

Learn more about American history on this article.

The following is a chronological listing of the ten oldest existing buildings in America:

16^th Century

1. San Jose Church, Puerto Rico

Year constructed: from 1532 to 1735

Functionality: Religious

San Jose Church is one of the earliest buildings on the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. It is a representation of the Spanish architectural style of the 1500s and was used as a place of worship by the residents of Old San Juan

The first governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de Leon, was once buried in the crypt of the church before his body was transferred to another Cathedral in San Juan. However, Juan Ponce de Leon II, his grandson, is still buried here.

Since its completion in 1735, the church has been restored once. In 2013, it was declared an endangered historical site despite conservation efforts by the World Monuments Watch.

2. La Fortaleza, Puerto Rico

La Fortaleza in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo By Xemenendura – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: between 1533 and 1540

Functionality:  Fortress/Residence

La Fortaleza, the Spanish term for ‘The Fortress’, was built between 1533 and 1540. The initial intent of its construction was to act in defense of Puerto Rico’s harbor, San Juan.

The Fortress was successfully invaded twice (1598 and 1625). In 1640, it was reconstructed and integrated with Santa Catalina chapel to form a singular structure named Santa Catalina’s Castle. 

 La Fortaleza has served as the official residence of Puerto Rico’s governor since 1544 making it the oldest executive mansion in use in the West Hemisphere. 

3. El Morro, Puerto Rico

Photo from 5th level of El Morro looking out into the harbour. Photo By Ksaraf – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: 1539

Functionality:  Fortress

El Morro, also known as Castillo San Felip del Morro, is a museum that was built in the early 1530s. It was the first defense at El Marro and was constructed as an entry shield of San Juan Bay.   

The building was named after the King of Spain and the son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Philip II. Though construction began in 1539, the architectural plan was completed in 1587.

El Morro was named a Heritage Site in 1983. The museum receives over two million visitors annually.

4. Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John The Baptist, Puerto Rico

Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo By
Jruizalvarez – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: 1540

Functionality:  Religious

Catedral Basilica Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista, Spanish for Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, is a catholic church in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was reconstructed in 1540 making it the oldest cathedral in America.

Initially, the Cathedral Basilica was made of timber. A hurricane destroyed the wooden structure and rebuilding of the religious center began in 1540.

The cathedral is the resting place of Juan Ponce de Leo, a Spanish explorer. In 2021, a private foundation was created to protect and restore the historical cathedral.

17^th Century

5. Convento de Porta Coeli, Puerto Rico

The Porta Coeli Convent church, in the San Germán Historic District, San Germán, Puerto Rico. Photo By Jmoliver – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: between 1606 and 1607

Functionality:  Religious

Convento de Porta Coeli is a museum located in San German Historic District, Puerto Rico. It was built in 1607 and later reconstructed in the 1800s.

During the 19^th century, the church was used as an education center. In 1868, it was partially demolished and rebuilt into its current structure.

Porta Coeli was converted into a museum that now has wood carvings and paintings from the 18^th century. It was named a national historic place in 1976.

Interesting fact: The church was to partially serve as a jail. It was the residents of San German who opposed this.

6. Palace of the Governors, New Mexico

Palace of the Governors at night, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo By Dicklyon – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: 1610

Functionality:  Governing offices

Palacio de los Gobernadores, also known as the Palace of the Governors, is a historic landmark located in Sante Fe, New Mexico. It was built in 1610 and functioned as Nuevo Mexico’s Capital building.

In 1960, the Palace of The Governor was used as a stamp icon by the United States Postal Service. It served as a history museum for 100 years before the opening of the adjacent New Mexico History Museum.

The building holds the seat of New Mexico’s government making it the oldest colonial government building in America.

7. Braman Nothnagle Log House, New Jersey

C. A. Nothnagle Log House. Photo By Smallbones – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: 1638

Functionality: Residence

Braman/C.A Nothnagle Log House is a national historic place in Greenwich Township, New Jersey. It is built with oak logs and is the oldest log house in America.

Before Puerto Rico became a territory of the U.S. in 1898, Braman Nothnagle Log House was the oldest building in America.

Most of the existing structure was built in the 18^th century but the oldest part of the building was put up in 1638. Additions were done in the early 1700s and the flooring was replaced in 1730.

The log house was first occupied by Swedish settlers. Though privately owned, it is open to the public for viewing on an appointment basis.

Interesting fact: The initial longhouse was held together by hardwood pegs. No nails were utilized during its construction.

8. Henry Whitfield House, Connecticut

Henry Whitfield House, Connecticut. Photo By Dmadeo – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed:1639

Functionality: Residence/ Fort

The Henry Whitfield House is the oldest stone house in Connecticut and its 5 neighboring states (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). It is located in Guilford town and was constructed before the area became densely populated.

 The house was the residential premise of Henry Whitefield, the first religious leader in Guilford. It served other purposes such as a church, town meeting house, resting place for travelers, and a protective fort.

 After its construction in the early 1600s, the stone house was renovated in 1868. In 1899, the Henry Whitfield house was opened as a state museum and became the property of Connecticut a year later.

To learn 10 facts about Connecticut, click here. 

9. Lower Swedish Cabin, Pennsylvania

Lower Swedish Cabin. Photo By Smallbones – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: between 1640 and 1650

Functionality: Residence

The Lower Swedish Cabin is located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It is one of the few remaining cabins constructed by Swedish immigrants.

In the 1900s, the cabin was used to film movies by the American motion picture pioneer, Siegmund Lubin. In 1941, it was declared property of Upper Darby Township.

The Lower Swedish Cabin was named a historic place in 1982. It is open to the public for viewing.

10. Richard Sparrow House, Massachusetts

Richard Sparrow House in Plymouth. Photo By Swampyank – Wikimedia Commons

Year Constructed: 1640

Functionality: Residence

The Richard Sparrow House is the oldest residential structure in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It served as the home to Richard Sparrow, a British surveyor who moved to Plymouth in 1636.

In 1653, the Sparrows moved out of the property and sold it. The two-story building was named a national historic place in 1974 and functions as an art gallery and historic museum.

Find out the best towns and villages to visit on your trip to Massachusetts on the Discover Walks website.

Other states with buildings from the 1600s include Kansas, Florida, New York, Virginian Beach, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

Interested to know about the ten oldest building in the world? Click here.