Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
The Velpen post office opened in 1881, the earliest record of the town by name.
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Velpen’s history is told.
Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Velpen. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.
U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Velpen.
From Wikipedia’s history of Velpen.
A post office has been in operation at Velpen since 1881. The community was named after the town of Velpe, Germany.
The Sweet Sulphur Springs near Velpen were renowned for their supposed medicinal properties and the hotel was a popular destination in the area.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nobody well known was born in Velpen itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.
The Velpen post office opened in 1881, the earliest record of the town by name (U.S. post office records).
What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →
From Wikimedia Commons (1), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
2016