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Did you know that some of the oldest historical, still standing buildings date all the way back to the 13th century?  While some of the buildings have had sections renovated or restored for one reason or another, most of these structures are still utilizing their original wood.  So, without further ado, down below we have gathered five of some of the most historical breathtaking wooden buildings.

5. Finger Wharf

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Finger Wharf, a heritage listed and former wharf and passenger terminal, is a huge complex made up of a marina, residential apartments, hotel and restaurant.  The complex, also known as Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf and Woolloomooloo Wharf, was designed by Henry D. Walsh and built by the Sydney Harbour Trust.  Among all of its features, the Finger Wharf structure is known for its longest timber-piled wharf in the world.  Known as a turpentine piled wharf, the Finger Wharf is 1,345 ft long and 210 ft wide.  When it was operational for importing and exporting, its main duty was in the business of handling shipping of wood.  The Finger Wharf is also notable for its use of being a staging point for troop deployment in both World Wars.  In 1991, when the structure was set to be demolished, locals and unions stepped in to save it from being torn down.  Due to public outcry, the Finger Wharf was repurposed and renovated to preserve its historical foundation.

Built 1916

4. The Ipswich Club House

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The Ipswich Club, also known as Tydfil, a grand two story building, was built for Ipswich butcher and pastoralist, J.P. Bottomley in 1916.  J.P. Bottomley initially worked as a Butcher when he first immigrated to Ipswich in 1884, but he soon became a high profile figure serving as a politician and president to many community organizations.  Bottomley commissioned the building to be designed by George Brockwell Gill, who designed many of the grand residences and public buildings in Ipswich, Australia from the 1880s to the 1930s.  The Ipswich Club is known for being a high-set timber house and its timber stumps, dark timber battens, and especially the decorative timber work on the verandahs.  The home was inherited and lived in by many generations of the Bottomley family until it was purchased by the Ipswich Club in 1959.  As of 1992, Ipswich Club House was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Built 1916

3. Cremorne

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Another high-set timber in Australia, Cremorne is a one story home in Brisbane, Australia that was constructed in 1906 for JD O’Connor.  JD O’Connor, an Ireland native, immigrated to Australia in 1878.  When 1904 came around, JD O’Connor obtained title to nearly 1.5 acres, and he decided to build a home for his wife and daughter.  On this land, he built the timber residence, which he named Cremorne.  Cremorne was designed by the firm of Eaton & Bates, a decorated practice of Sydney-trained architects.  The large residence is an imposing one story residence situated halfway up the steep slope of Eldernell/Hamilton Hill in Brisbane.  Cremorne is known for its intricate timber work such as its balustrades, friezes, valances, lattices, doors, and stumps.  The home remained in the O’Connor family for three generations and was in ownership until the late 1990s.  As of 1992, Cremorne was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Built 1906

2. Old Ship Church

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Also commonly known as the Old Ship Meetinghouse, the Old Ship Church is the oldest continuously worshiped-in church in North America and is the only surviving 17th-century Puritan meetinghouse in the United States and all of North America.  One of its most notable features are the great oak beams that make up the ceiling, which resembles an inverted frame of a ship.  However, the most unique feature is its use of hammerbeam structural timber trusses.  The Old Ship Church was built by its first minister, Reverend Peter Hobart, an early American settler, in 1681.  The historical structure is surrounded by a large colonial graveyard, known as the Hingham Cemetery, First Settlers cemetery, and Old Ship Cemetery.  One of the oldest known burial dates is from 1672 before the Old Ship Church was yet to be built.  As of 1966, the Old Ship Church has been classified as a historic site.

Built 1681

1. House of Adam

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The House of Adam is a half-timbered house centrally located in Angers, France.  This historical half-timbered house is also known as the house of Adam and Eve or of the Tree of Life.  Since its construction in 1491, it is considered to be one of the medieval heritage sites that still exists to this day.  For location reference, it’s located just behind the infamous Angers Cathedral.  As for its unique features, the House of Adam is comprised of six floors; a ground floor, three floors, and two attics.  Additionally, it also has a barrel vaulted basement.  The House of Adam is now home to the Maison des artisans d’Angers.  As of 1922, the House Adam was declared a historical monument by decree of France.

Built 1491

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