Time travel 100 years at famous American landmarks with this app

Wish you could travel back in time to see what America looked like a century ago? 

Well, now you can, thanks to ScenePast: Americana Road Trip, a recently launched app that puts hundreds of digitally restored photos of prominent sites across all 50 states at your fingertips.

Because images are archived geographically, you simply search by location to peruse/compare more than 500 vintage postcards (which you can also share on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) with recent pictures of the same spot, in order to see how the area's transformed. 

Check out a few examples below before downloading the $.99 app here.

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip 

Cooper Square (1910s)

Cooper Sq, New York, NY

100 years ago, the Empire State Building -- and a bunch of others -- hadn't even been built!

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip

Las Vegas, NV
128 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV

This address has changed proprietors three times since the 1950s, when it was the Apache Hotel; in the '70s, it was Binion's Horseshoe; and today, it's Binion's Gambling Hall. But for all its facelifts, you can still spot the hotel's original brick exterior.

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip

Famous Chef Restaurant (1950s)

8315 East Colfax, Denver, CO

Back in the 1950s, this Denver building was home to a wholesome restaurant. And today? It's a strip club!

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip

Disneyland, Tomorrowland (1960s)

Tomorrowland Way, Anaheim, CA

When it opened in 1955, Tomorrowland was meant to represent the future... as in, the 1980s. Which is now, obviously, not the future anymore. And back then, nobody could ride Space Mountain, have a go at the Finding Nemo Swimming Voyage, or experience Michael Jackson in 3D.

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip 

Venice Beach, CA (1910s)

Pacific Avenue & Windward, Venice, CA

Well, for one thing, trains don't look like that anymore. Once the site of Venice's Miniature Railway, Windward Avenue -- like much of Venice today -- is crawling with hipsters

 

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip

The Cyclone, Coney Island (1940s)

1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

In the 1940s, Coney Island was teeming with theme park goers, and the Cyclone was one of its biggest attractions. Today, Coney Island's still crowded as hell, and the most exciting thing to happen in the Cyclone's recent history is Beyonce's music video.

 

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip 

The Las Vegas Club (1970s)

Main St & Fremont, Las Vegas, NV

The place looks a lot less glamorous these days, and while the hotel's been closed for a year now, the casino's still open for gamblers.
 

ScenePast: Americana Road Trip

Old South Meeting House (1900s)

310 Washington St, Boston, MA

The Boston Tea Party had their first meeting here in 1773... and today, there's a TJ Maxx right around the corner. What would Sam Adams think?


Chloe Pantazi is an editorial assistant on Thrillist's travel team. Yes, that's a British accent. No, she doesn't watch Doctor Who. Follow her on Twitter at @ChloePantazi.