The Best Cities for Greek Revival Architecture in America

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

• Greek Revival architecture was a way for architects to emphasize American ideas about classical democracy
• Greek Revival houses are most prevalent in the older cities, with beautiful and well-preserved dwellings.
• 11 of the top 25 cities are in Massachusetts.
• In 15 of the top 25 cities, the median value for homes built in 1939 or earlier is higher than the median value for all homes.
• Also: 2 dividend legends to be kept forever

In the early 19th century, new archaeological discoveries and accompanying photo books gave American architects a detailed look at classical Greek architecture for the first time. For a young nation still finding its cultural identity, the civic and political virtues associated with Greek architecture became a way to embody the ideals of classical democracy in America. Beginning with mansions and public buildings in Washington DC, Greek Revival architecture quickly spread throughout the country.

Today, there are more than 5,000 listings classified as Greek Revival on the National Register of Historic Properties. And while thousands of other Greek Revival buildings exist across the country without formal historic status, a look at the NRHP listings by address reveals the best cities to see Greek Revival architecture.

To determine the best cities for Greek Revival architecture, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed data on historic properties from National Register of Historic Places of the US National Park Service. Cities, towns, and villages were ranked based on the number of records in the NRHP that are designated as Greek Revival architectural style as of October 2024. Additional data on median home age comes from 2022 American Community Survey of the US Census Bureau.

25. Brookline, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 14 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 98 properties
• Average age at home: 84 years old
• Incorporated City: 1705
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Pill Hill Historic District, Brookline Town Green Historic District, Ginery Twitchell House, 9 Linden Street House, 83 Penniman Place House

24. Fall River, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 14 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 110 properties
• Average age at home: 80 years
• Incorporated City: 1854
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Osborn House, Cataract Engine Company no. 3, James D. Hathaway House, John Mace Smith House, Nathan Read House

23. Aberdeen, MS

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 15 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 30 properties
• Average age at home: 53 years old
• Incorporated City: 1837
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Reuben Davis House, Monroe County Court House, Adams-French House, William A. Dunklin House, John Holliday House

22. Vicksburg, MS

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 15 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 75 properties
• Average age at home: 58 years old
• Incorporated City: 1839
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Old Courthouse, Warren County, Pemberton’s Seat, Planters Hall, Cedar Grove, Bobb House

21. Stoneham, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 15 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 68 properties
• Average age at home: 61 years old
• Incorporated City: 1725
• Notable Greek Revival listings: TU Lyon House, Franklin B. Jenkins House, House at 269 Green Street, Padilla Beard House, Benjamin Hibbard Residence

20. Middletown, DE

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 15 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 28 properties
• Average age at home: 19 years old
• Incorporated City: 1861
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Hedgelawn, Cochran Grange, Maples, Rumsey Farm, BF Hanson House

19. Taunton, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 15 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 96 properties
• Average age at home: 62 years old
• Incorporated City: 1864
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Bristol County Courthouse Complex, Tisdale-Morse House, Sarah A. Haskins House, Lloyd Dean House, Stone House

18. Rochester, NY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 17 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 156 properties
• Average age at home: 85 years old
• Incorporated City: 1817
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Jonathan Child House and Brewster-Burke House Historic District, Campbell-Whittlesey House, Hervey Ely House, Third Ward Historic District, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and Rectory

17. Arlington, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 18 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 63 properties
• Average age at home: 78 years old
• Incorporated City: 1807
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Calvary Methodist Church, Pleasant Street Congregational Church, Whittemore House, Stephen Symmes Jr. House, Ella Mahalla Cutter House

16. Richmond, KY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 19 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 51 properties
• Average age at home: 30 years
• Incorporated City: 1809
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Madison County Court House, Judge Daniel Breck House, William M. Miller House, Duncannon, William Holloway House

15. Mobile, AL

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 19 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 128 properties
• Average age at home: 51 years old
• Incorporated City: 1814
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Mobile City Hall, Barton Academy, Raphael Semmes House, Mobile City Hospital, Church Street East Historic District

14. Waltham, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 20 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 109 properties
• Average age at home: 63 years old
• Incorporated City: 1884
• Notable Greek Revival listings: William Gibbs House, Daniel French School, Benjamin F. Clough House, Marshall Smith House, John M. Peck House

13. Harrodsburg, KY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 21 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 57 properties
• Average age at home: 53 years old
• Incorporated City: 1836
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Shawnee Springs, Doricham, Clay Hill, Sutfield-Thompson House, Cardwellton

12. Danville, KY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 21 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 69 properties
• Average age at home: 48 years
• Incorporated City: 1836
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Old Center, Center College, McClure-Barbee House, Todd-Montgomery Houses, Spring Hill (Thomas Lillard House), Elijah Harlan House

11. Georgetown, KY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 21 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 69 properties
• Average age at home: 24 years old
• Incorporated City: 1847
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Giddings Hall, Georgetown College, Showalter House, Ward Hall, Allenhurst, Osburn House

10. Nicholasville, KY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 22 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 50 properties
• Average age at home: 34 years old
• Incorporated City: 1837
• Notable Greek Revival listings: McClure-Shelby House, Roberts Chapel, Providence Church, Joseph Chrisman House, Butler’s Tavern

9. Worcester, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 23 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 289 properties
• Average age at home: 73 years old
• Incorporated City: 1848
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Salisbury House, Oxford-Crown Historic District, Leonard Sturtevant House, Alexander Marsh House, Governor Levi Lincoln House

8. Columbus, GA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 23 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 136 properties
• Average age at home: 46 years old
• Incorporated City: 1828
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Joseph House, Wells-Bagley House, Columbus Historic District, Peabody-Warner House, St. Elmo

7. New Orleans, LA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 23 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 204 properties
• Average age at home: 66 years old
• Incorporated City: 1805
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Lafayette Cemetery no. 1, Merieult House, Lower Garden District, US Mint New Orleans Branch, Turpin-Kofler-Buja House

6. Newton, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 26 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 187 properties
• Average age at home: 83 years old
• Incorporated City: 1873
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Nathaniel Topliff Allen Homestead, Farlow and Kendrick Parks Historic District, Joshua Jennison House, Henry Bigelow House, HP Page House

5. Boston, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 27 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 318 properties
• Average age at home: 79 years old
• Incorporated City: 1822
• Notable Greek Revival listings: St. Paul’s Church, Alvah Kittredge House, South End District, Boston National Historical Park, Edward Everett Hale House

4. Davenport, IA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 36 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 256 properties
• Average age at home: 58 years old
• Incorporated City: 1881
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Hiller Building, Clifton, Philip Worley House, Lambert Tevoet House, George B. Swan House

3. Cambridge, MA

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 49 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 212 properties
• Average age at home: 78 years old
• Incorporated City: 1846
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Oliver Hastings House, Hiram Sands House, Maria Baldwin House, John Aborn House, Upper Magazine Street Historic District

2. Natchez, MS

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 50 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 119 properties
• Average age at home: 61 years old
• Incorporated City: 1803
• Notable Greek Revival listings: D’Evereux, Dunleith, Monmouth, Commercial Bank and Banker’s House, Melrose

1. New York, NY

• Greek Revival NRHP Listings: 59 properties
• All listings in the NRHP: 809 properties
• Average age at home: 73 years old
• Incorporated City: 1652
• Notable Greek Revival listings: Sailors’ Snug Harbor National Register District, St. James, The Block House, First National City Bank, South Street Seaport

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