My friends and I have been doing this for a while, we start in 50,000 bc and work our way up.
When we get to the modern age, 2009, we should have an amazing build with cities full of actual buildings, dating back to 10 a.d. We have no requirements, other than that you do nothing ridiculous. The server has a password, so nobody other than us can go on, making it much easier to control. I have been making content for it, such as windmill props that spin, cows and sheep, and a weapon that can kill bricks, for raids.
Edit: What year is that supposed to be in? Your army has vizors and guns, but wears chain mail...