"We have many people and businesses that have moved here recently," says MaryJo Joseph, chairman of Danville's Historic Committee. "I don't think any of them would have come if we didn't have a healthy downtown. That is what I think draws people here."

Joseph, who is also a real estate agent, says many people want to live in old downtown buildings. She says residents are committed to preserving the historic look the town has. The Heart of Danville, a group formed in 1984, advocates for the protection of historic buildings and maintaining a vibrant central business district. Danville's architecture is primarily in the Victorian style. A popular destination for history lovers is Constitution Square, where there is a mixture of actual historic buildings and replicas. Among the historic buildings is a post office that was built in the 1700s. October 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the Perryville Battlefield near Danville.

Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 61

Accolades:

• 2001 Great American Main Street, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Historic Landmarks: Constitution Square State Historic Site (1937), Jacobs Hall (1857), McDowell House (1795)

3.) Muskogee, Oklahoma USA

The appetite for historic preservation is growing in Muskogee. Residents know they have a good thing going and are beginning to take more aggressive steps toward protecting the character of their community. While this city was formed as a railroad town in the late 1800s, its roots run much deeper than that. It was the hub for the settlement and development of what became Indian Territory and home to what is known as the Five Civilized Tribes who walked the Trail of Tears. Today, there are a number of museums and cultural attractions in Muskogee that celebrate the city's heritage.

Visitors who truly want to immerse themselves in Muskogee's history might choose to spend the night in the Historic Hayes House. The luxurious house was constructed in the early 1900s and is located near museums and Bacone College.

Among the latest preservation projects in Muskogee is the renovation of a 100-year-old structure in downtown that had become dilapidated. The eight-story building, once one of the tallest buildings in Muskogee, has been turned into apartments for seniors with low- to medium-income levels. Another triumph for preservationists in Muskogee was the rehabilitation of the Severs Block Building, also in downtown. The building was completed in the late 1800s and was damaged in a fire 2006. The city was going to demolish the building, but private investors found support in the preservation community to rebuild the structure.

City ordinances prohibit the demolition of structures in designated historic districts without approval. Local leaders say there is general support for the protection of historic properties. The city itself maintains one of the largest and most beloved properties, Honor Heights Park, which was created in 1909.

"We're just reaching the age as a city where we have to do something to protect our heritage," says Jonita Mullins, executive director of Downtown Muskogee. "Saving these buildings builds community pride and has an economic component to it. Businesses see that you care about your community and that we do care about quality of life. When anyone is looking to relocate they want to see that the community is making efforts to improve the lives of their residents and keep its character."

Number of Structures on the National Register of Historic Places: 24

Accolades:

• Named a Distinctive Destination in 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

• Named a Top 10 Main Street Community by the Oklahoma Main Street Center

Historic Landmarks: Fite Mansion (1905), First Missionary Baptist Church (1903), Fort Gibson (1800s)

4. ) Pueblo, Colorado

Pueblo is in the midst of a citywide historic preservation effort. Five neighborhoods are being studied to identify properties that are considered landmarks and develop a history for each area that will ultimately help guide future development by protecting the past.

David Webb, president of a preservation group called Historic Pueblo, says no other city in the country is doing this. Webb says his goal is to place landmark designations, which places certain restrictions on what can be done to the exterior of a property, on half of the historic homes and buildings in the city.

"The first studies were to learn more of the history of the area," Webb says. "One on the Southside explained why things were built and why they were done that way. Ultimately, this will help residents take more pride in areas and make sure their neighborhoods are kept up."

Webb's group focuses as much, if not more, on education efforts as it does actual preservation. Among Historic Pueblo's most popular programs is an annual historic homes tour.

"That way people get the opportunity to see the beautiful structures we have," he says. "They usually get encouraged. It starts to spread. If you see one (historic home) that's fixed up, the next thing you know others are fixing up their homes."

Renovated buildings, pedestrian pathways and the riverwalk have brought many people back to downtown. Residents take great pride in the festivals and cultural attractions in Pueblo. There is also a unique offering of restaurants and food choices in Pueblo.

Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 57

Historic Landmarks: Pueblo County Courthouse (1912), Union Avenue Historic District (1800s), Quaker Flour Mill (1869)

5.) Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC, has set the standard for historic preservation. In 1931, it became the first city in the country to establish a board of architectural

review. Charleston also has the oldest community-based historic preservation group – The Preservation Society of Charleston.

There is an unparalleled collection of historic buildings in Charleston, reflecting architectural styles of the Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian eras. Nicknamed the Holy City, Charleston has a large number of churches with steeples that dot the city's skyline. There are a number of Civil War sites in Charleston as well. The pleasing aesthetics of Charleston make it a huge draw for tourists, which provides a big boost to the local economy.

Each year, The Preservation Society of Charleston chooses seven sites representing seven broad issues to focus on as part of a campaign called Seven to Save. Activities during the campaign can include adaptive use plans, installation of historic markers, public awareness, fundraising, development of protective ordinances and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

"I think historic preservation is relevant in the 21st century because our goal is to maintain our historic properties. They tell us so much about who we were and where we've come from," says Robert Gurley, assistant director of the preservation group. "A lot of the historic district is a testament to our passion for our unique architectural heritage."

Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 97

Accolades:

• Top U.S. City, Conde Nast Traveler 2011 Readers Choice Awards

• No. 2 City in the World, Travel + Leisure

• No. 4 City for Culture and Sightseeing, Trip Advisor

• Favorite Southern City, Southern Living

Historic Landmarks: Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue (1840), St. Phillip's Episcopal Church (1836), Rainbow Row (1800s), Aiken Rhett House (1818)