Another year has drawn to a close and we’re moving further and further into the future – but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look back to see how far we’ve come. Taking a step into the past can teach us lessons about how we’re progressing as a state, plus it’s pretty darn interesting to see how much certain places have changed and how others have essentially remained the same. So without further ado, here are 11 pairs of side-by-side, exact comparison photos of different places across Texas. Some of them just might surprise you.
- Harrison County Courthouse (1939 & 2012)
Russell Lee
Flickr/texasbackroads The city of Marshall sure seemed more alive back in the day.
- Hotel Galvez (1943 & 2009)
John Vachon
Flickr/galvestonisland This hotel has changed quite a bit since 1943 - I’ve heard it’s even home to a vengeful spirit nowadays.
- Barton Creek (1900 & 2013)
Wikimedia Commons
This tourist mecca definitely hadn’t been discovered yet in 1900.
- Lyndon B. Johnson (1915 & 1960)
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/nasa_appel This isn’t a transformation of something, but rather someone - a very important someone at that. It isn’t quite a ’then and now’ since he passed away in 1973, but we’re proud to call our state the birthplace of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson.
- Houston Main Street (1918 & 2005)
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/kt The difference here is obvious - in the first picture, abundant joy was felt as WWI troops returned and marched in their homecoming parade.
- Spearman (1939 & 2007)
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/jstephenconn Today, you would never know that a dust storm ravaged Spearman in 1935. The city stands strong and proud despite the catastrophe.
- San Augustine (1939 & 2009)
Russell Lee
Flickr/jstephenconn The little town of San Augustine hasn’t changed much.
- The Alamo (Late 1860s & 2005)
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/kt Remember the Alamo - the symbol of Texas liberty, the place where ultimate sacrifice was given for freedom and overwhelming odds were defeated. Its structure might have changed immensely over the years, but its significance will always remain the same.
- State Capitol (1943 & 2013)
John Vachon
Flickr/dingatx Our capitol building looks relatively the same - and it’s still bigger than the nation’s capitol!
- Hollywood Cemetery (Late 1900s & 2007)
Flickr/emmiegrn This Houston cemetery has lost some of its elegance - the beautiful gate at its entrance and driveway leading up to it have been replaced with a busy street and traffic light.
- Harris County Courthouse (1943 & 2010)
John Vachon
Flickr/euthman Surprisingly, with how much Houston has exploded with growth in the last few decades, the courthouse is still reminiscent of itself in a simpler time.
Seeing side-by-side photos of the changes that have happened in Texas is a surreal feeling. There are only more changes to come as we move into a new year, and we can look to our past to help guide us. How do you feel about these photos? What other noteworthy changes have happened across our state? Let us know in the comments below!
Russell Lee
Flickr/texasbackroads
The city of Marshall sure seemed more alive back in the day.
John Vachon
Flickr/galvestonisland
This hotel has changed quite a bit since 1943 - I’ve heard it’s even home to a vengeful spirit nowadays.
Wikimedia Commons
This tourist mecca definitely hadn’t been discovered yet in 1900.
Flickr/nasa_appel
This isn’t a transformation of something, but rather someone - a very important someone at that. It isn’t quite a ’then and now’ since he passed away in 1973, but we’re proud to call our state the birthplace of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson.
Flickr/kt
The difference here is obvious - in the first picture, abundant joy was felt as WWI troops returned and marched in their homecoming parade.
Flickr/jstephenconn
Today, you would never know that a dust storm ravaged Spearman in 1935. The city stands strong and proud despite the catastrophe.
The little town of San Augustine hasn’t changed much.
Remember the Alamo - the symbol of Texas liberty, the place where ultimate sacrifice was given for freedom and overwhelming odds were defeated. Its structure might have changed immensely over the years, but its significance will always remain the same.
Flickr/dingatx
Our capitol building looks relatively the same - and it’s still bigger than the nation’s capitol!
Flickr/emmiegrn
This Houston cemetery has lost some of its elegance - the beautiful gate at its entrance and driveway leading up to it have been replaced with a busy street and traffic light.
Flickr/euthman
Surprisingly, with how much Houston has exploded with growth in the last few decades, the courthouse is still reminiscent of itself in a simpler time.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
