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Detroit is one of the worst cities for historic preservation. Most of it's grand mansions in the Brush Park district have either crumbled to nothing from prolonged abandonment, or have been torn down to make room for upscale condominium developments, as seen in the photo I have attached.
Just imagine how beautiful that home must've been, 90 years ago.
Boston is so-so. It is a large historic city and as a result has numerous historic neighborhoods that are largely unchanged. Charlestown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End, etc are all in very good shape. Scollay Square (Gov't Center), the West End and the area where 93 is (was, it's now submerged) were pretty beaten up. You can see examples of brilliant preservation in Boston and examples of awful destruction.
Some of the best preserved historic districts I've seen are New Orleans, Newport RI, New Bedford MA (Whaling District/Downtown/County Street Historic District), Portsmouth NH, Annapolis MD, Newburyport MA, Marblehead MA and Nantucket MA. I also like New London, CT. There are a few others too. Still, most cities are marred by some sort of destruction. At the very least, even the best preserved historic cities have "new" city around them.
The best in North America is by FAR Quebec City. Not just the "Old City" but the warehouse district and old industrial sections as well.
Newark is one,
It could be a good thing to some degree, but it's getting to be a complete eye sore. They're just piling up these affordable housing in old neighborhoods- like you can literally just click anywhere on google streetview and see what I mean (on the western half anyway). Thankfully, my neighborhood (Forest Hill) is kept historic, and the homes are beautiful. As for the western half of the city (the ghetto), it's just getting worst all around.
Newark is one,
It could be a good thing to some degree, but it's getting to be a complete eye sore. They're just piling up these affordable housing in old neighborhoods- like you can literally just click anywhere on google streetview and see what I mean (on the western half anyway). Thankfully, my neighborhood (Forest Hill) is kept historic, and the homes are beautiful. As for the western half of the city (the ghetto), it's just getting worst all around.
I've been compiling a list of well-preserved cities. It seems that most cities have experienced a lot of urban destruction over the years. Here are some that seem to have escaped it, for the most part (please correct me if I am wrong).
Savannah, GA (was not burned in the Civil War, was protected from 1950s urban renewal by concerned citizens)
Butte, MT (seems to be a mostly intact old west boom town).
Wheeling, WV (seems largely intact, but surviving historic structures are threatened by lack of investment and bad economy, which leads to abandonment, etc.)
York, PA (seems largely intact)
Jackson, MI (very beautiful downtown, seems intact)
Grand Rapids, MI (not sure on this one, but seems more or less historically intact).
Wichita, KS (any thoughts on this one?)
Lincoln, NE
Portland, Maine
Providence, RI
Feel free to add or subtract cities based on your personal knowledge!
Which period of history are you interested in? Amongst the very large cities....Philly still has a large area of 18th century and colonial housing stock in the Society Hill and Queen Village neighborhoods in spite of urban renewal. Also the Georgetown neighborhood in D.C. has quite a bit from that era or at least early 19th century.
I love all older architecture, but especially buildings from the 1870s and older. I love colonial architecture, 18th century, etc. I was amazed by Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia and Mt. Vernon in Baltimore.
I love all older architecture, but especially buildings from the 1870s and older. I love colonial architecture, 18th century, etc. I was amazed by Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia and Mt. Vernon in Baltimore.
That is a gorgeous house, Remisc! How is Brush Park? Are most of the surviving mansions being restored?
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