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National
Trust Promotes Heritage Tourism with Annual List of
America's Dozen Distinctive
Destinations
 Washington,
D.C.: From the oldest city under the U.S. flag
established on a tropical Caribbean island as a
Spanish settlement to chart the New World, to a
historic resort community nestled in a beautiful
Rocky Mountain valley with links to a rich frontier
past, America offers alternative vacation
destinations that symbolize an increasing
dedication to historic preservation and celebrate
the unique heritage of the people and places that
established our diverse nation. The National Trust
for Historic Preservation, the country's largest
private, nonprofit preservation organization,
announced today the selection of its 2004 Dozen
Distinctive Destinations™, an annual list of
unique and lovingly preserved communities in the
United States.
"It is encouraging
to see communities so committed to the preservation
of their historic landmarks, the revitalization of
their downtown areas, and the protection of their
unique heritage," said National Trust president
Richard Moe. "These twelve communities represent a
truly distinctive slice of America and are exciting
alternatives to the homogenization of many other
vacation spots. It is my hope that more American
cities and towns will follow the lead of these
great destinations in preserving their own spirit
of place."
The 2004 list of
America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations
are:
Astoria, Ore.
(pop. 9,800): The oldest U.S. settlement west of
the Rockies, Astoria has long been revered by
residents and visitors alike for its
picture-perfect setting on the Columbia River. This
port city provides a bounty of historic sites,
natural beauty and great seafood.
Galena, Ill. (pop.
3,600): Rich deposits of lead ore near Galena
were the source of many fortunes in the 19th
century. Today, spectacular architecture and
reminders of eras past are the real treasures in
this hilly riverside town that touts down-home
charm and plenty to keep visitors busy.
Glenwood Springs,
Colo. (pop. 7,700): Snugly nestled in a
beautiful valley, this historic resort community
serves up a restorative dose of natural hot
springs, exciting outdoor activities, eclectic
dining and shopping, and evocative links with the
Rocky Mountain frontier past.
Guthrie, Okla.
(pop. 10,000): Literally born overnight in the epic
Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, Guthrie was Oklahoma's
first territorial capitol. Today, this unique and
thriving community offers many opportunities for
visitors to experience the rough-and-ready spirit
of the Wild West.
Lewisburg, W.Va.
(pop. 3,600): Civil War history, arts,
folklore and natural splendor are plentiful in
historic Lewisburg, where visitors can soak up
small-town charm while enjoying interesting
architecture, sophisticated shops and galleries and
a wide range of outdoor adventures.
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