Distinctive Destinations: 12 towns cited

By CHERYL WITTENAUER, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 28, 3:45 PM ET

ST. LOUIS - Twelve towns - from a French colonial village in Missouri to a town on the Florida Panhandle - have been honored this year by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for their commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization.

The list of a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" has been issued annually since 2000 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This year's honorees are Ste. Genevieve, Mo.; Aiken, S.C.; Apalachicola, Fla.; Columbus, Miss.; Crested Butte, Colo.; Fort Davis, Texas; Friday Harbor, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Portsmouth, N.H.; Red Wing, Minn.; San Juan Bautista, Calif., and Wilmington, N.C.

Ste. Genevieve was recognized as having "the most significant collection of French colonial architecture in the U.S," according to the preservation group. The town of 4,400 people was settled by the French in the early 1700s, making it one of Missouri's oldest settlements and the only French colonial village left in the U.S. Ste. Genevieve is located on the Mississippi River, 64 miles south of St. Louis.

Ownership of the territory was alternately French, Spanish and American, but the French traditions and architecture persisted no matter who was in charge.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recalled the heroic efforts to save the French colonial structures during the Great Flood of 1993.

The buildings, he said, are "just outstanding. I'll never forget the vertical log structures that you don't see anywhere else. It's really a memorable experience to go there.

"It's a little bit off the track. That's why we want to draw attention to it."

The town boasts more than 150 structures built before 1825, including the 1785 Bolduc House, the 1792 Amoureaux House, the 1818 Felix Valle State Historic Site and the 1806 Guibourd-Valle House, with its Norman-style trusses. Visitors can also tour the historic Memorial Cemetery, where many of Ste. Genevieve's distinguished early inhabitants are buried.

Ste. Genevieve is surrounded by a state park, wildlife refuge and national forest. Throughout the year, the town celebrates French heritage balls and festivals. Accommodations include a motel and variety of bed-and-breakfast inns, restaurants and wineries. Its unique architecture, winding streets and bucolic setting make it a great getaway. Details at http://www.saintegenevievetourism.org/ or 800-373-7007.

Here are the other 11 places chosen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation - http://www.nationaltrust.org/ - as this year's "Distinctive Destinations."

_Aiken, S.C., which boasts historic homes like the Rose Hill garden estate along with a cosmopolitan downtown where you'll find art galleries and antiques; http://downtownaiken.com/things_to_see_and_do.html or 888-245-3672.

_Apalachicola, Fla., a charming coastal town known for its seafood, waterfront, eclectic shops and historic buildings; http://www.apalachicolabay.org or 850-653-9419.

_Columbus, Miss., the birthplace of playwright Tennessee Williams and a mix of Southern history (including antebellum homes), natural beauty and culture; http://www.columbus-ms.org/ or 800-327-2686.

_Crested Butte, Colo., a former coal mining village in the Rockies that offers rugged beauty, history and year-round adventure, from mountain biking and whitewater to fishing and skiing; http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/ or 800-814-7988.

_Fort Davis, Texas, a 19th-century western frontier town with majestic scenery and wildlife but no traffic lights or chain stores; http://www.fortdavis.com/ or 800-524-3015.

_Friday Harbor, Wash., a small, well-preserved community in the San Juan Island chain that is ideal for outdoor adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs; http://historicfridayharbor.org/ or 888-468-3701.

_Portland, Ore., a big city with a scenic, small-town feel, from the enormous yet funky Powell's Books to the famed rose garden in Washington Park; http://www.travelportland.com or 800-962-3700.

_Portsmouth, N.H., an old New England seaport dating to 1623 with 18th century homes and a Harbour Trail; http://www.portsmouthchamber.org/ or 603-610-5510.

_Red Wing, Minn., one hour south of the Twin Cities, with 19th century architectural gems, a sweeping view of the countryside and the Mississippi River from atop Barn Bluff, and a paved 20-mile bike trail; http://www.red-wing.org/ or 800-498-3444.

_San Juan Bautista, Calif., dubbed the "City of History" for its Spanish colonial architecture; http://www.san-juan-bautista.ca.us/ or 831-623-2454.

_Wilmington, N.C., with riverboats, battleships, grand old mansions, gardens, Civil War sites and historic museums; http://www.cape-fear.nc.us/ or 866-266-9690.