To the Future and Back Again: Famous Places Then and Now

Places change, but photographs freeze moments in time. These then-and-now comparisons reveal how iconic locations have transformed through decades or centuries. Some show dramatic modernization while others demonstrate remarkable preservation. Each pairing tells a story of cultural shifts, technological advances, and changing human priorities as we reshape our world through time.

Lawrence & Kedzie, Chicago

Once a bustling corner of immigrant communities with trolley tracks and mom-and-pop shops, Lawrence and Kedzie now features chain stores and modern traffic signals. The historic bank building remains, but surrounding architecture has been simplified. Street trees have grown while overhead wires disappeared. The essence of urban evolution is captured in one Chicago intersection.

Pontiac Building, Chicago

Built in 1891 as one of Chicago’s first skyscrapers, the Pontiac Building showcased pioneering steel-frame construction that made modern cities possible. Early photos show horse-drawn carriages passing its ornate entrance. Today, the restored building stands amid glass towers, its Victorian details preserved while contemporary life flows around this architectural survivor.

Arbat Street, Moscow

Once lined with wooden houses of Russian nobility, Arbat Street transformed through Soviet-era uniformity into today’s pedestrian haven. Early photos show merchants and horse carts on unpaved roads. Modern images reveal colorful cafés, souvenir shops, and street performers. Despite wars and political upheavals, this 500-year-old thoroughfare maintains its status as Moscow’s cultural heart.

Arc de Triomphe, Paris

Napoleon commissioned this monument to honor his armies, but never saw its completion. Early photographs show a relatively uncluttered landmark with horse-drawn traffic. Today’s images reveal the same triumphant arch surrounded by one of the world’s most famous traffic circles, where twelve avenues converge in a swirl of modern vehicles.

Berlin, Germany

No city’s then-and-now photos tell a more dramatic story than Berlin’s. From Imperial grandeur to Nazi rallies, wartime destruction to Cold War division, the city’s transformation is staggering. The Brandenburg Gate, once isolated in the death strip between East and West, now serves as a symbol of unity surrounded by vibrant public spaces.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Early explorers photographed these Mayan ruins overgrown by jungle, with archaeologists just beginning excavations. Today’s images show meticulously restored pyramids surrounded by manicured grounds and tourists. The famous El Castillo pyramid stands unchanged while facilities for millions of annual visitors have transformed the surrounding landscape from wilderness to heritage park.

Colosseum, Rome

Victorian-era photographs show the Colosseum partially buried, with medieval structures built against its walls. Mussolini later cleared surrounding buildings to isolate the monument. Modern images reveal ongoing restoration efforts and crowd control measures. The ancient arena remains Rome’s iconic landmark despite two millennia of plundering, earthquakes, pollution, and mass tourism.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Initially controversial and intended as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair, early photos show the tower standing alone above low-rise Paris. Contemporary images reveal a skyline that’s grown around it, with glass skyscrapers in the distance. The surrounding Champ de Mars has evolved from an empty expanse to manicured gardens filled with tourists.

Engabreen Glacier, Norway

Historical photographs from the early 1900s show this massive Norwegian glacier extending much further downslope. Modern images reveal dramatic retreat as climate change accelerates ice loss. The stark comparison provides visual evidence of global warming’s impact. Where boats once navigated around ice walls, they now float in open water far from the receding glacier front.

Great Wall of China

Early Western photographs show crumbling, overgrown sections of the wall rarely visited by outsiders. Today’s restored sections near Beijing accommodate millions of tourists on smooth stone paths with safety railings. Remote portions remain untouched, but popular segments have been transformed from military fortification to a global tourist attraction complete with cable cars and souvenir stands.

Hammerfest, Norway

The world’s northernmost town has transformed from a simple fishing village with wooden buildings to a modern Arctic community. After WWII destruction, Hammerfest was completely rebuilt. Historic photos show small boats and modest docks. Today’s images reveal cruise ships, oil industry infrastructure, and contemporary architecture designed to withstand the harsh polar environment.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia

Construction photos from the 1920s show this engineering marvel taking shape over eight years. Workers balanced on steel beams without safety equipment as the iconic arch rose above the harbor. Modern images show the same distinctive silhouette, now joined by the Opera House and surrounded by skyscrapers that didn’t exist when the “coathanger” first connected Sydney’s shores.

London, Great Britain

Victorian London photographs reveal smoky industrial skylines, horse-drawn omnibuses, and formally dressed pedestrians navigating muddy streets. Today’s images show the same historic landmarks surrounded by modern glass towers. The juxtaposition of St. Paul’s Cathedral with the Shard perfectly captures how London balances preservation with innovation as it continuously reinvents itself.

Los Angeles, USA

Early photos show a small downtown surrounded by oil derricks and orange groves. The transformation into today’s sprawling metropolis happened with breathtaking speed. Historic images of neighborhoods like Hollywood reveal quiet residential streets where film studios were just getting started. Modern photos show a dense urban landscape stretching to distant mountains, connected by massive freeways.

Martin Luther Statue, Germany

Early photographs show this monument to the Protestant reformer standing in town squares relatively unchanged since its installation. War-era images reveal damage or protective measures during conflicts. Modern photos demonstrate how commemoration continues while surrounding architecture and society transform. Luther’s stern bronze face witnesses Germany’s tumultuous history from the same fixed position.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

Medieval pilgrims reached this island monastery only during low tide across dangerous mudflats. Historical photos show a causeway built in 1879 that altered water flows and began silt accumulation. Recent images reveal a sophisticated new bridge allowing natural tidal patterns to resume, demonstrating how preservation philosophy has evolved from simply accessing heritage sites to protecting their environmental context.

Moulin Rouge, Paris

From Belle Époque glamour through world wars to modern tourist attraction, the famous red windmill has witnessed Paris nightlife evolve dramatically. Early photos show horse-drawn carriages delivering well-dressed patrons to see risqué cancan dancers. Today’s images reveal selfie-taking tourists beneath the same iconic windmill, now surrounded by souvenir shops and illuminated by LED lights.

München Hofbräuhaus, Germany

This 16th century royal brewery appears in pre-war photos hosting traditional Bavarian gatherings in wooden-beamed beer halls. WWII images show severe damage from Allied bombing. Post-war reconstruction preserved historical features while modernizing facilities. Today’s photos reveal a global tourist destination where visitors from around the world experience carefully maintained Bavarian traditions alongside locals in lederhosen.

Paris, France

Baron Haussmann’s mid-1800s renovation created the wide boulevards seen in early photographs, replacing medieval neighborhoods with uniform limestone buildings. Modern skylines remain remarkably similar thanks to strict height limitations, though the addition of the Eiffel Tower, Centre Pompidou, and La Défense business district changed the city’s profile while maintaining its historic core.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Early photos show Christ the Redeemer statue being constructed atop Corcovado Mountain overlooking a low-rise colonial city. Contemporary images reveal explosive urban growth surrounding the same outstretched arms. The dramatic contrast between favelas climbing steep hillsides and luxury high-rises along beaches demonstrates Brazil’s ongoing social contrasts. Through decades of change, the statue remains Rio’s defining landmark.

Statue of Liberty, New York

Early photos show Liberty Island (formerly Bedloe’s Island) as a military installation with the statue newly installed. Immigrant ships passed directly by as they entered New York Harbor. Today’s images reveal a popular tourist destination with modern visitor facilities. The Manhattan skyline behind Lady Liberty has transformed dramatically, yet she remains America’s iconic welcome symbol.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

Construction photos from the 1960s show the revolutionary design taking shape where maritime facilities once stood. The controversial project ran years behind schedule and vastly over budget. Modern images reveal how completely this once-divisive building has become Sydney’s defining landmark, transforming a utilitarian harbor area into a world-famous cultural precinct that draws millions of visitors annually.

Texas State Capitol, Austin

Completed in 1888, early photos show this impressive building dominating a small frontier capital city. The distinctive pink granite dome stood largely unobstructed against the Texas sky. Contemporary images show the same capitol building now surrounded by modern office towers, though height restrictions prevent anything from being built taller than the historic seat of Texas government.

Times Square, New York

Early 20th century photos show a sophisticated theater district with elegant signage and well-dressed crowds. Mid-century images reveal the area’s decline into seediness and crime. Today’s photos showcase the remarkable transformation into a pedestrian-friendly tourist hub with massive digital billboards, themed stores, and characters posing for photos with visitors from around the world.

Tokyo, Japan

Pre-war photographs show a low-rise city of wooden structures and narrow streets. Post-WWII images reveal devastation followed by rapid rebuilding. Contemporary Tokyo photos showcase one of the world’s most futuristic urban landscapes with soaring skyscrapers, elevated highways, and neon-lit entertainment districts. Few cities demonstrate such complete transformation while maintaining a distinct cultural identity through waves of change.

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