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Ann Arbor, Then and Now

by jschaen

The Ann Arbor News' archive highlights major events and news-worthy stories through the city's history. But beyond that, it also gives a glimpse into what life was like for residents on a daily basis. Hidden between photos of big events are images of the stores and streets. They can give us a window into what Ann Arbor was like for the people who lived here, and they can highlight what has changed... and what hasn't.

The following are old images of Ann Arbor paired with views from today, which let you see which buildings have withstood the test of time and where things have grown and developed.

308 South Ashley Street, 1937

1937:
308 South Ashley Street, 1937

Today:

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Southeast Corner of Main Street and Washington Street, 1940 and Today

1940:
Main and Washington, 1940

Today:

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Corner of West Liberty Street and West Stadium Boulevard, 1948
Note: The exact corner of the intersection where the Custard Stand stood is not known; today's view is the southeast corner.

1948:
W Liberty and W Stadium, 1948

Today:

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South State Street, 1951

1951:
South State Street, 1951

Today:

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Maynard Street, 1974

1974:
Maynard Street, 1974

Today:

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Comments

To a relative newcomer like me (been in the area ~20 years), it's fun to see these comparisons! I think I remember when that building on Maynard just south of Nickels Arcade was being built.

The google map streetviews are kind of slow to load, though.

The picture of Stadium and Liberty is awesome! It's so developed now that it's shocking to imagine a single building there surrounded by dirt.

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