Ever since the beginning of recorded history, the world has changed a lot. But when we stop to notice the change, it is fascinating how much (or how little) things have changed over the years. What you are about to see is an intriguing collection of 40 Then & Now pictures that show how much the world has changed over time. While the photographers had a challenge in recreating all the views as closely as possible to the original, these photographs speak volumes about the passage of time.
Outdoor Theater, Bucharest Romania (1916 and 2016)
CAPITOL Summer Theater is a historical landmark in Bucharest, Romania. The caryatids, the stucco work, and the statues by the sculptor Spiridon Georgescu complement the eclectic style of the building. Unfortunately, it arrived at the brink of destruction due to forgetfulness and the damage caused by the 1977 earthquake.
The good news is that they have restored the place to its former glory. The 2016 picture was taken during the initial clearing operation.
An Abandoned Racetrack (1970s And Now)
Metrolina, which operated as Speedworld and was also known as the Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway, was built in the mid-1960s. It is located in the Metrolina Fairgrounds in NE Charlotte. Friday nights were the most popular nights for the 1/2 mile banked clay track.
The track was briefly paved in the 1970s and hosted NASCAR-sponsored events organized by Ned Jarrett. However, even racers like Harry Gant, Jack Ingram, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Butch Lindley competing couldn't attract enough customers to keep the track open.
Empire State Building (1930s And Now)
Considered one of the most recognizable buildings globally, The Empire State Building held onto the title of world's tallest building for 40 years. Today, it is New York’s 7th tallest building and 49th tallest building in the world.
This building is a city within a city. They had to change the design of the ESB 15 times just to ensure it was the tallest building in the world.
Grandfather And Grandson In Tokyo, 73 Years Apart
The old house in the background is actually a guardhouse that belongs to the palace. Both photos were taken in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This person’s grandfather was a navy dental surgeon.
These kinds of photos bring some unexplainable sort of satisfaction. Even looking at the trees makes us feel happy as they have grown over the years and have so many stories to tell.
These kinds of photos bring some unexplainable sort of satisfaction. Even looking at the trees makes us feel happy as they have grown over the years and have so many stories to tell.
The old house in the background is actually a guardhouse that belongs to the palace. Both photos were taken in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This person’s grandfather was a navy dental surgeon.
These kinds of photos bring some unexplainable sort of satisfaction. Even looking at the trees makes us feel happy as they have grown over the years and have so many stories to tell.
These kinds of photos bring some unexplainable sort of satisfaction. Even looking at the trees makes us feel happy as they have grown over the years and have so many stories to tell.
People Killing Time While Waiting For Public Transportation (The Early 1900s And Now)
Technology has changed how we spend our time. One thing we know for sure is that no one wanted to talk to each other 100 years ago either. So, nothing has changed much when it comes to people minding their own business.
Hey, at least we've saved some trees since then by using less paper, but destroyed the planet in other ways. Way to go, humans!
Old Main on Wayne State University’s Campus in Detroit, Michigan (1930 And 2020)
On the Wayne State University campus, Old Main is an academic building. Originally, it served as the site of Detroit's Central High School. The building's construction began on December 13, 1894. It was constructed out of brick and limestone extracted from the soil just in front of it over a three-year period.
Architects Malcomson & Higginbotham designed the building, which included 103 classrooms, laboratories, offices, and space for 2,000 students. The total cost of the structure was over $500,000, with the majority of the funds coming from state appropriations and an emergency building fund campaign.
The Arctic 103 Years Ago Compared To Today
There's no denying that climate change due to global warming is causing polar ice caps to melt fast. In fact, we lose about 13% of Arctic sea ice per decade. In just the last three decades, the thickest and oldest ice in the Arctic has declined by 95%.
This is seriously frightening stuff. Scientists believe that the Arctic could be ice-free in a few decades if carbon emissions continue to rise unchecked.
The Flatiron Building, New York (1917 And 2012)
Called "One of the world's most iconic skyscrapers and a quintessential symbol of New York City," the Flatiron Building is breathtakingly beautiful. Chicago architect Daniel Burnham designed it as a vertical Renaissance palazzo. No New York City postcard collection would be complete without it.
At the time it was constructed, the critical response was not positive. The criticism focused mostly on the structure, and some believed it created a dangerous wind tunnel at the intersection of two streets and would knock down the building.
At the time it was constructed, the critical response was not positive. The criticism focused mostly on the structure, and some believed it created a dangerous wind tunnel at the intersection of two streets and would knock down the building.
Amazing how it has stood the test of time. It has proved to be an architectural masterpiece.
The Chaney Glacier in Montana, United States (1911 and 2005)
The Chaney Glacier is one of the several glaciers that are monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Glacier Monitoring Research program. Sadly, the glacier has shrunk dramatically and lost over 29 percent of its surface area between 1966 and 2005.
The current condition of the glacier shows how global warming is affecting glaciers.
The current condition of the glacier shows how global warming is affecting glaciers.
For example, the Montana natural reserve had about 150 glaciers about a century ago. Now, there are only 25 remaining within its borders.
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (1988 And 2020)
This is Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (formally known as Bishan Park) in Singapore. Constructed in 1988, it was one of the biggest park projects at the time. According to an estimate, it cost around $8.5 million to build this beautiful park.
It is a clear case of planning done right: create a park, plant trees, and let them grow.
It is a clear case of planning done right: create a park, plant trees, and let them grow.
Every city in the world needs to have more green spaces like this park. It is good for people's mental and physical health, and the environment too.
Bike Ride In Kreuzberg, Berlin (1985 And 2018)
This has to be one of the best after photos! This shows what difference freedom makes. We like how they marked the ground to show where the wall used to be.
As many old photos show, the aisle that the wall cut through the city was used as a "natural" bike path throughout West Berlin.
As many old photos show, the aisle that the wall cut through the city was used as a "natural" bike path throughout West Berlin.
We hope everyone should visit this place in Berlin. It is a historic place worth visiting.
World War I Trenches
Honestly, the trenches look like a scar upon the land. The earth remembers the atrocities that happened there; so many lives were lost. Imagine if they plant flowers in these trenches; one plant each for the estimated number of lives lost there. What a tribute that would be, right?
The zigzag-like pattern was to prevent enemies from shooting all the way down the line. Seeing this reminds us of the film 1917.
The zigzag-like pattern was to prevent enemies from shooting all the way down the line. Seeing this reminds us of the film 1917.
It is an incredible film with some of the best cinematography. Do watch the movie and make sure to read the credits.
The Shambles In York (1800s And Today)
One of York's most famous landmarks and best-preserved medieval shopping streets is the Shambles. With its overhanging buildings and cobbled streets, many believe it to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series.
That explains why the famous street has several Harry Potter-themed shops.
That explains why the famous street has several Harry Potter-themed shops.
However, J.K. Rowling tweeted that Shambles wasn't the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in her novels. She even said that she had never been or seen the Shambles.
The Banyan Tree in Maui
The banyan tree in Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii, is the largest in the United States. It was planted on April 24, 1873, and has since then grown to a height of 60 feet with 16 major trunks. It covers 1.94 acres, about the length of a city block.
Using the word enormous to describe this tree would be an understatement. Its branches are so horizontally long and heavy that it actually grows new trunks to support them.
Unfinished Manhattan Bridge In 1908 And Now
The construction of the Manhattan Bridge concluded in 1909. When it was opened, 100 "leading citizens of Brooklyn" walked over it. Originally, it was going to be called "Bridge No.3" because it would’ve been the third bridge built across the East River. However, The New York Times called it a "meaningless" name.
Even if you haven't visited the bridge, you may have seen it in Hollywood movies like "Once Upon A Time In America", "I Am Legend," and "The Lonely Guy."
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
This is a beautiful transformation and a sad reminder of what happened to over 140,000 people who lost their lives in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II. They left it largely untouched. There is still masonry debris surrounding the building. It is believed that the atom bomb detonated above this building as the walls were not blown out by a horizontal blast wave but rather a vertical force that caved in the roof.
We're glad they left something as a reminder. After all, humans have a tendency to forget things if not reminded.
St Bartholomew’s Gatehouse (1916 And Now)
St Bartholomew’s Gatehouse is a medieval church located in Smithfield within the City of London. A rare survivor of Tudor London, it is one of the oldest remaining churches in the city. It was built in 1595 and at some point bricked over. It was then bombed during a WW1 Zeppelin raid, which knocked off some bricks revealing its Tudor half-timbered facade. It was later fully restored in 1932.
This is amazing! It makes you wonder how many other buildings are secretly hiding Tudor designs underneath their bricks.
It Was Bound To Happen
This person and his grandfather trained at the same location, exactly 100 years apart. His grandfather left for France shortly after the photo was taken in 1917. Both look the same, right?
Even though it's not the clearest photo of his grandfather, the jawline and the more defined facial features show an uncanny resemblance.
Singapore (2000 And Now)
Singapore has become a highly-developed country despite having limited natural and human resources. In decades after independence, the country rapidly developed to become a successful high-income, free-market economy. It is impressive how the country has transformed in just 20 years.
Some might say it was SingaPOOR back then, and now it has become SingaRICH. Okay, we hope this joke doesn’t offend anyone. Honestly, we love Singapore and it is a must-visit place.
The Former Island Of Urk - The Netherlands (1930 And 2020)
The Netherlands has reclaimed about 17% of its current land area from the sea or lakes. Interestingly, 26% of the Netherland's area is located below sea level. So, understandably, the Dutch incorporated the island in a large polder in the late 1930s.
There is another island in that polder, Schokland. The island was evicted in the 19th century because it became uninhabitable; it was slowly calving into the sea and almost gone by then.
Moscow Pictures 20 Years Apart
Who else loves seeing the older buildings renovated and maintained so beautifully? It also goes on to show how 20 years can make a heck of a difference. Two decades is not really that long, and it's a whole lot of inner-city development right there.
Whether you see skyscrapers as beautiful or an urban horror, it is a debate for another day.
San Francisco, CA (1920 And 2020)
From mild weather to vintage classic architecture and culture, there's a lot to love about San Francisco. The city went through several fires, earthquakes, and the boom of Silicon Valley. However, it has still kept a lot of Victorian charm mixed with hipster-style graffiti.
Have you noticed there is a garage under the window in the second photo? We really want to know how they put that garage in. Overall, it is an amazing photo because nothing much has changed.
From Fascism To Pizza And Kebabs (Durham 1934 And 2020)
If you think it's a positive change, some would argue that it depends on how good their kebabs are. Well, we think even the worst of the worst kebabs are much better than fascism. Who doesn't like a change for the better, right? Now, we are feeling hungry.
We have a question: How did it become a thing to combine kebab and pizza? Did you know there's Kebab Pizza in Sweden that has become their favorite?
Hick's Court, St Ives, England - 1888 And Today
We Love this picture of old and new! This is why we prefer when people don’t mess with architecture too much. Just keep the original foundations but improve them and look after them because it is far better than knocking them down and building something again.
At the bottom of the first photo, you can read “Street View.” We want to clarify that Google Street View wasn’t around in 1888.
University Of Montana (150 Years Apart)
Did someone say, "Nice land you got here. It would sure be a shame if someone took it. Shame indeed." But then again, that’s sort of how history works. Empires rise and fall, and the land is taken from one group to the next.
The University of Montana is built at the bottom of what was a huge glacial lake. That's why there are striations on the hillside: the lapping of waters.
The University of Montana is built at the bottom of what was a huge glacial lake. That's why there are striations on the hillside: the lapping of waters.
The Missoula flood rushed to the sea many times over several thousand years. It goes without saying that this is an area of fascinating geology.
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1776 and Now)
The signing of the United States declaration of independence took place on July 4, 1776, in the presence of 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress that represented the 13 colonies. It shows Thomas Jefferson presenting the first draft to Congress.
The second photo was taken in 2017, 241 years later. Interestingly, the portrait was brought to life by the descendants of America’ Founding Fathers.
Buckhurst Hill Station (London Underground Station) - (1875 And 2020)
It is nice that they are trying to keep history alive, but the only problem we see is that the chimneys have been chopped to half their height, bricked up the windows, and removed porch awnings.
The lack of signage and bright plastic is always so noticeable in old pictures. And yeah, those are Hansom cabs in front of the station.
1820 Industrial St, Los Angeles (1960 And Now)
The address is 1820 Industrial St. The left side photo is from the 1960s. Then, this was the ATSF railroad, an industrial switching district known as "the patch".
For all the hate gentrification gets, we can’t help but admire the transformation of run-down industrial places into vibrant spaces.
The Trams In Berlin (1990 And 2018)
There is a different experience in using public transit in Berlin. In other German towns, they still use trams like the one in the upper picture. Often they buy just a few of the new trams and use them with old ones.
This 105-year old station’s history is interesting. It was a ghost station during the partition of Berlin before reopening in 1990.
Dubai Marina (2000 - 2020)
That is such a futuristic shot. So much has happened in so little time. Dubai Marina is a man-made canal city on a three-kilometer section of the Persian Gulf's shoreline. It was built by moving water from the gulf into Dubai Marina's designated land and producing a waterfront. The Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Masjid Al Rahim mosque are two of the city's most famous landmarks.
Dubai Marina, which claims to be the world's largest man-made marina, has played a significant role in creating Dubai's history.
Dresden In WW II Vs. Dresden Now
Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony, was almost completely destroyed by the British-American aerial bombing attack during World War II. This is so sad. They blew up a paradise and put up a parking lot. They had to change the statue as well. They also had to recreate the statue because it didn't hold up well against 20th-century pollution, especially in East Germany.
Nevertheless, that's a rather impressive change! So much architecture was lost. We don't like the parking garage that much, but we love how humanity managed to rebuild itself after this war. Tenacity and grit are great character traits to have.
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, USA
The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles didn't always spell out "Hollywood," and it wasn't always a popular tourist attraction. According to Adweek, Hollywoodland was actually a tract house community, and the sign was an advertisement for it. It was built in 1923 for $21,000 and was only supposed to last 18 months. It lasted a lot longer than that, although it gradually deteriorated. The letter "H" even tumbled over in 1949.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles Parks Department initiated a contract in 1949 to restore and rebuild the sign. "LAND" was to be omitted from the spelling of "Hollywood" to reflect the district rather than the "Hollywoodland" housing complex, according to the contract.
The Development of Batumi, Georgia
Wow, that's one big change in scale. The development around it dwarfs that first building. In all honesty, the bottom one looks more like a motherboard, right.
One of the reasons for the change is that the Constitutional Court of Georgia's seat was relocated from Tbilisi to Batumi in order to promote regional development. To assist the booming gambling business, American-branded hotels (Sheraton and Radisson) have opened.
One of the reasons for the change is that the Constitutional Court of Georgia's seat was relocated from Tbilisi to Batumi in order to promote regional development. To assist the booming gambling business, American-branded hotels (Sheraton and Radisson) have opened.
The port has also expanded to accommodate larger oil and agricultural shipments.
Subang Jaya, Selangor. 44 Years Apart
One could argue that Malaysia is expanding the suburbs further and further into the natural areas around Klang Valley, building a few fake lakes and planting some trees before selling the whole development as an eco-friendly forest living concept.
One could argue that Malaysia is expanding the suburbs further and further into the natural areas around Klang Valley, building a few fake lakes and planting some trees before selling the whole development as an eco-friendly forest living concept.
Nuremberg, Germany (1936 And 2020)
Imagine the feeling of standing where Adolf Hilter once stood. Moreover, It is a strange experience to stand in a location where a historical event occurred and match details from an old photograph with the still existing architecture (in a city) or hardscape elements (e.g. civil war battlefield).
The today's view is nothing like the earlier one. There are fast food joints around the corner, a busy highway, a soccer field in front, and just generally nothing at all like it once was.
The today's view is nothing like the earlier one. There are fast food joints around the corner, a busy highway, a soccer field in front, and just generally nothing at all like it once was.
You really have to use your imagination. Good for the Germans for not destroying it all but leaving the grandstands (behind this guy) in place and this platform.
Taal Volcano, Philippines Before And After The Eruption (2019 And 2020)
These images show the power of Mother Nature. On January 12, 2020, Taal Volcano started spewing lava along with a giant plume of ash and rumbling sounds. They had to evacuate 8,000 people from the area.
Situated on an island in the middle of a lake, Taal is the country's second most active volcano. It has erupted approximately 34 times in the past 450 years.
The Church of Sant Romà
A dam was built in the 1960s, and the church and nearby town became part of a man-made reservoir. There were about 100 inhabitants in the town, but the Spanish government decided to construct a dam that slowly started to drown the entire town. Today, it is one of the oldest churches still standing in the body of water.
The entire church does reappear when the water level is low. Although engineers strengthened the church during one extreme dry season, it is amazing how the structure is still standing today.
America's First Public Beach - Revere Beach, Massachusetts (1925 And 2021)
The beach was created in 1895. It was private property before then. The Massachusetts legislature ordered the taking of nearly three miles of private seacoast land on what is now Revere Beach Reservation in 1895. In 1896, the site was given to the Metropolitan Park Commission. The Park Commission chose Charles Eliot, a little-known landscape designer, to design Revere Beach Reservation for optimum public usage.
During its annual sand sculpting competition, the beach can now accommodate up to one million visitors in a single weekend.
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan (1887 And 2021)
The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and beach resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located between the state's Upper and Lower peninsulas at the eastern extremity of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron. The structure, which was built in the late 19th century, claims to have the world's largest porch.
The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and beach resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located between the state's Upper and Lower peninsulas at the eastern extremity of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron. The structure, which was built in the late 19th century, claims to have the world's largest porch.
Lincoln Memorial 1917-2016
There were 36 states in the Union at the time of Abraham Lincoln's death. It was for this reason that the Lincoln Memorial was created with 36 columns. From the Reflecting Pool to Lincoln's statue in the monument, there are 87 steps. 'Four score and seven,' as Abraham Lincoln famously stated in his Gettysburg Address, is represented by the number 87.
This first image was actually taken during the construction of the Lincoln Memorial in 1917. It was 1922 when the Lincoln Memorial had its dedication and looked more similar to the Lincoln Memorial we are familiar with.
Grand Central Terminal, NYC (1912 And 2021)
It is really interesting how little has changed. It puts things into perspective. It is a Beaux-Arts-style building. Beaux-Arts combine classical architecture, French Baroque and Rococo influences onto the heralded Ancient Greek framework. Beaux-Arts was the preeminent style from the late 19th to the early 20th century and is the most closely associated with New York City architectural style; the New York Public Library is another great example of this regal style.
Everyone should be grateful that this building still exists and looks like this. Unfortunately, the other NYC train station treasure, the Pennsylvania Station, was tragically demolished.
Titanic Depiction (1912 and 2003's Documentary Poster)
Here is a depiction of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and the poster created for James Cameron's documentary Ghosts of the Abyss. Given that it has been many years since this poster came out, the ocean has eaten away most of the ship since then.
Scientists believe that salt corrosion, deep-sea currents, and metal-eating bacteria could make the Titanic completely rot away by 2030.
Scientists believe that salt corrosion, deep-sea currents, and metal-eating bacteria could make the Titanic completely rot away by 2030.
Did you know that the last survivor of the ill-fated ship named Millvina Dean passed away in 2009 at 97? She was only two months old at the time of the tragedy.