This article lists the oldest buildings in the United States and its territories. The list includes sites in current states and territories which were not part of the original Thirteen Colonies when the United States of America was founded in 1776.
Pre-Columbian era
BuildingImage Location State First built UseNotes Ancestral Puebloan dwellings New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah NMAZCOUT 750 – Pueblo construction began in AD 750, and ended around 1300 AD with the third era of the Pueblo people. Villages Majority of settlements abandoned, but some very well preserved. Buildings have been within the United States since the Mexican Cession of 1848 or the Gadsden Purchase of 1854.Chaco CanyonNew Mexico (Between Albuquerque and Farmington)NMc. 800s – "During the middle and late 800s, the great houses of Pueblo Bonito, Una Vida, and Peñasco Blanco were constructed, followed by Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, Pueblo Alto, and others."Residential, villages, city"The cultural flowering of the Chacoan people began in the mid 800s and lasted more than 300 years." Ocmulgee Earth Lodge Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park GA 1015 Religious Native American earth lodge. Restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Cliff Palace Mesa Verde National Park CO 1190 Residential Largest cliff dwelling in North America. Buildings have been within the United States since the Mexican Cession of 1848. Malae Heiau Wailua River State Park HI before 1200 Religious Largest heiau remaining on the Island of Kauai and one of the largest surviving temple platforms in the Hawaiian Islands. Acoma Pueblo On top of a 367-foot (112 m) sandstone mesa in Cibola County NM c. 1000-1200 Residential Buildings have been within the United States since the Mexican Cession of 1848. Casa Grande Coolidge AZ c. 1200s Religious Hohokam structures built in the 13th century that includes a large four-story structure that is protected by a New Deal era canopy. Taos Pueblo North of the modern city of Taos NM c. Late 13th century to early 14th century Residential Buildings have been within the United States since the Mexican Cession of 1848. West Oak Forest Earthlodge Site Glenwood IA c. 1250–1400 Religious Earthlodge built during the Woodland period of pre-Columbian history. Discovered and restored in 2009. House of Taga Tinian MP before 1500 Residential The latte stone structure is believed to have been the home of a Chamorro chief. The structure has been on US territory since 1978 when the Northern Mariana Islands became a US commonwealth.
16th Century
BuildingImage Town/City State Date of Construction Type of BuildingNotesLa Casa BlancaOld San JuanPR1521Government/ResidentialLocated in the Old San Juan National Historic Landmark District. Built as a fortified residence for Juan Ponce de León. The house has been on U.S. territory since Puerto Rico was annexed in 1898. San José Church Old San Juan PR 1528 Religious Located in the Old San Juan National Historic Landmark District. Additions and renovations over the centuries. The church has been on U.S. territory since Puerto Rico was annexed in 1898. La Fortaleza Old San Juan PR 1533 Government Located in the Old San Juan National Historic Landmark District. Oldest executive mansion in the New World. Extensive reconstructions took place over the centuries. Building has been within the U.S. since 1898 when Puerto Rico was annexed. Castillo San Felipe del Morro Old San Juan PR 1539 Government Part of the San Juan National Historic Site. Construction started in 1539, with extensive additions over the centuries. Building has been within the U.S. since 1898 when Puerto Rico was annexed. Cathedral of San Juan Bautista Old San Juan PR 1540 Religious Located in the Old San Juan National Historic Landmark District. Oldest church building in the U.S. and its territories, original built in 1521 on modern-day location (extensive additions and renovations). The cathedral has been on U.S. territory since Puerto Rico was annexed in 1898.
17th Century