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The subreddit r/OldPhotosInRealLife is pretty much the closest thing we have to a time machine. Its 596k members are constantly comparing past and present through rephotography — the act of taking a photo of a place that has already been photographed before. The end result is like a portal, fusing together two different periods.

After we at Bored Panda published our first story on this online community, we've kept an eye on it and quickly realized that its earlier posts weren't a fluke. From overgrown Machu Picchu in 1915 compared to the site in 2020 to visitors in The Metropolitan Museum Of Art in 1910 and 2019, r/OldPhotosInRealLife consistently features interesting angles, presenting things in a different perspective to the one we're used to.

#1

The Big Oak; Thomasville, Ga (1895/2020)

The Big Oak; Thomasville, Ga (1895/2020)

thegregtastic Report

#2

My Family Farm C.1900/2000. It Was In Our Family For 125 Years. My Childhood Bedroom Window Is In The Top Center. It Was Also My Father’s And My Grandfather’s Bedroom

My Family Farm C.1900/2000. It Was In Our Family For 125 Years. My Childhood Bedroom Window Is In The Top Center. It Was Also My Father’s And My Grandfather’s Bedroom

pappard57 Report

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lenahudson123 avatar
StormWolf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just occurred to me OP is speaking in past tense, ie " It WAS in our family for 125 years". Hope I'm wrong, but seems like they no longer own it. Lol it's not my property but even I felt a stab of regret at that...

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Vesuvius
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is from the original post: Unfortunately no. My parents who are in their 90’s had to sell it to move into a retirement community. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to buy it. I would have in a heartbeat if I could.

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Casey Burns
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This hits me in the feels. There's so much story to tell between those two photos. Truly beautiful.

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Robert Grout
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I saw this photo I was sure it was a photo I have and imagined some long lost Cousin uploaded it. Upon checking I realized the house in my photo was different. However, the angle on the house is identical, the position of the people was the same and the same horse and buggy are in the shot. I long suspected the horse and buggy belonged to the photographer so now I’m sure of it. There must have been some enterprising photographer who went around taking pictures for a fee and used the same format in each. I wonder how many others have an old photo that looks similar?

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Eric Forster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somewhere, I have a photo of my great grandfather and his family standing in front of his Iowa farm house, circa 1895.

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Jane W.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be cool to have people and a car in the same positions as the old photo. Fun stuff.

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Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's nice that the historical integrity has been maintained and respected.

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Sarah Pryde
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is SO cool! glad this home got to stay with your family for so long

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As I wrote in my previous piece, most of these photos portray not only the passage of time but human progress as well. City skylines keep expanding, people within them switch from horses to cars... But that's just the visuals. How do we actually calculate our advancement?

For this task, many use the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI provides a single index measure to capture three key dimensions of our development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

#3

Ancient Greece Before And After Excavation

Ancient Greece Before And After Excavation

Just_Another_Gen-Zer Report

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Debbie Barnes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You would never have thought that nature would completely cover a Colosseum to that extent. You can almost hear the roars of the crowds and imagine scenes from a different world..

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#4

Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship

b-e-e-p-b-e-e-p Report

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Fus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The house next to me is a 1920 Sears house. They also came with 2 trees. Type depended on where the house went. Here, in PA, the came with a maple and an oak. The maple is still outside the front door.

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The Human Development Index utilizes four key metrics:

  • life expectancy at birth – to assess a long and healthy life,
  • expected years of schooling – to assess access to knowledge for the young generation, 3) average years of schooling – to assess access to knowledge for the older generation, 4) gross national income (GNI) per capita – to assess the standard of living.
#5

Here Is My Great Great Grandfather’s Nashville House In 1896, Two Years Before My Grandfather Was Born. This Picture Has Always Been In The Family Of Course, But Only Today Did I Use Google Maps To Look Up The Address And Find It How It Looks Today. I’m Thrilled That I Found It

Here Is My Great Great Grandfather’s Nashville House In 1896, Two Years Before My Grandfather Was Born. This Picture Has Always Been In The Family Of Course, But Only Today Did I Use Google Maps To Look Up The Address And Find It How It Looks Today. I’m Thrilled That I Found It

pappard57 Report

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#6

The Golden Cross Inn, Coventry. 1819 vs. Now

The Golden Cross Inn, Coventry. 1819 vs. Now

Islamism Report

In 2019, the United Nations Development Programme used the HDI to find out which countries are the most developed. The first place went to Norway, Switzerland came in second, and Ireland was third. The US tied the UK for the 15th spot.

Naturally, the HDI -- just like most similar metrics -- has been criticized. Mostly, for the alleged lack of consideration of technological development or contributions to human civilization. But it remains one of the most used measures worldwide to calculate how advanced countries are. Until rephotography takes over!

#7

Visitors In The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Viewing Painting (Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing The Delaware - 1851) 1910 And 2019

Visitors In The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Viewing Painting (Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing The Delaware - 1851) 1910 And 2019

d7mtg Report

#8

The Berlin Wall Fell 31 Years Ago Today!

The Berlin Wall Fell 31 Years Ago Today!

jofurch Report

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Dynein
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To this day, the position of the wall is marked on the ground all the way from one end to the other. By the more noteworthy places there are information boards. If you ever go to Berlin and want to get a broader picture of the town, I recommend a Berlin Wall hike - take public transport to one end of the Berlin Wall (Memorial or East Side Gallery), then follow the line on the ground all the way to the other end. Takes you to all kinds of places, from famous landmarks to back alleys. It's a day trip, but if you don't mind walking and love to explore for the sake of exploring, it's really worth it.

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#9

Hiroshima 75 Years Ago

Hiroshima 75 Years Ago

Adamstowellll Report

#11

Amazing Looking Home Restored In Detroit. 1993 And Now

Amazing Looking Home Restored In Detroit. 1993 And Now

reddit.com Report

#12

Czech Out Prague 1910 And 2020

Czech Out Prague 1910 And 2020

Stotallytob3r Report

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Couch potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first photo is what claustrophobic people wished it looked like in the second photo

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#13

Milan, Italy 1950s And 2021

Milan, Italy 1950s And 2021

Axelxxela Report

#14

Hick's Court, St Ives, England - 1888 And Today

Hick's Court, St Ives, England - 1888 And Today

Le_Rat_Mort Report

#15

English Tank In The Streets Of My Town, 1945-2021

English Tank In The Streets Of My Town, 1945-2021

Timonius262 Report

#16

Town Square In Uelzen, Lower Saxony, Germany- During The Battle Of The Rhine, April 1945 And 2021

Town Square In Uelzen, Lower Saxony, Germany- During The Battle Of The Rhine, April 1945 And 2021

DiosMioMan2 Report

#17

Van Gogh’s ‘Cafe Terrace At Night’ From 1888 And Present

Van Gogh’s ‘Cafe Terrace At Night’ From 1888 And Present

jazz4 Report

#18

Today vs. Childhood Memory

Today vs. Childhood Memory

MrMacBro Report

#19

In 2005, Some Friends And I Found The Road To Jabba's Palace Off Twenty Mule Team Canyon In Death Valley, Ca

In 2005, Some Friends And I Found The Road To Jabba's Palace Off Twenty Mule Team Canyon In Death Valley, Ca

hitokirivader Report

#20

Church St. Martin In Cologne, Germany 1946 And 2021

Church St. Martin In Cologne, Germany 1946 And 2021

Etsu87 Report

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Isabella
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I continue to be amazed on how Germans rebuild their country after the war.

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#21

Theodore Roosevelt Would Be Proud

Theodore Roosevelt Would Be Proud

sethsta Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can actually see where some parts of the falls have worn away in 115 years. Not a huge amount, but noticeable if you look close enough.

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#22

Curtiss C-46 Commando, One Of Pablo Escobar / Carlos Lehder’s Drug Smuggling Planes Near Norman’s Cay In The Bahamas, After 35 Years Submerged In Saltwater

Curtiss C-46 Commando, One Of Pablo Escobar / Carlos Lehder’s Drug Smuggling Planes Near Norman’s Cay In The Bahamas, After 35 Years Submerged In Saltwater

abaganoush Report

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#23

The Royal Crescent, Bath, UK. 1829-2020. Built 1774

The Royal Crescent, Bath, UK. 1829-2020. Built 1774

TogderNodger Report

#24

The Main Entrance To The City, York, England 1865 - 2015

The Main Entrance To The City, York, England 1865 - 2015

hasanah78 Report

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can walk the walls surrounding the city centre and every so often there is a visitors book. Hundreds of years of vibrant history in every nook and cranny and my brother in-law wrote, and I quote "very nice!"

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#25

It Hasn't Changed Much In 157 Years, Aside From The Platform Height And Electrification. The World's Oldest Undeground Station, Baker Street! *saxophone Plays In The Distance*

It Hasn't Changed Much In 157 Years, Aside From The Platform Height And Electrification. The World's Oldest Undeground Station, Baker Street! *saxophone Plays In The Distance*

jjnfsk Report

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Roxy Eastland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's easy to criticise the London Underground, e.g. why isn't it running 24 hours a day in this day and age? So it's worth being reminded just how old it is and what the expectations were when it was built. It doesn't have double tracks, so one can keep the service running while the other is being maintained at night, because no one in 1863 anticipated hoards of people wanting to travel around London at 3.30am

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#26

Court Of The Lions, Granada, Spain - 1840 And Today

Court Of The Lions, Granada, Spain - 1840 And Today

Le_Rat_Mort Report

#27

Abandoned Restaurant In Petrópolis, Brazil (1960's And 2013)

Abandoned Restaurant In Petrópolis, Brazil (1960's And 2013)

Mackelowsky Report

#28

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland - C.1847 And Today

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland - C.1847 And Today

Le_Rat_Mort Report

#29

Unfinished Manhattan Bridge In 1908 And Now

Unfinished Manhattan Bridge In 1908 And Now

reddit.com Report

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N G
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was originally built as a star gate, but it was later converted to a bridge

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#30

Buenos Aires, Argentina [1925, 1980, 2002, 2021]

Buenos Aires, Argentina [1925, 1980, 2002, 2021]

patagoniac Report

#31

Kraków, Poland (1939 And 2010s)

Kraków, Poland (1939 And 2010s)

Mackelowsky Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So happy they kept the electric trolleys, instead of converting to stinky busses.

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#32

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, India. 1798 Lithograph By Thomas Daniell And 2016. Built Between 1003-1010

Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, India. 1798 Lithograph By Thomas Daniell And 2016. Built Between 1003-1010

1NbSHXj3 Report

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#33

Arch Of Constantine In Rome, 1943 (Taken By My Grandfather), And What It Looks Like Today

Arch Of Constantine In Rome, 1943 (Taken By My Grandfather), And What It Looks Like Today

PrivateTumbleweed Report

#34

Stonehenge: 1877 And 2019

Stonehenge: 1877 And 2019

ProjectFailure Report

#35

Woodstock Festival Site- 1969 / 2020

Woodstock Festival Site- 1969 / 2020

spkelly37 Report

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the child
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in all the photos it never really occured to me how much space they actually needed because it's covered by people. woodstock is legendary for good reason

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#36

St Francis Of Assisi Church

St Francis Of Assisi Church

englishdemon Report

#37

A Former Public Bath In Wuppertal, Germany, Now A Brewery And Beer Hall. 1993 vs. 2019

A Former Public Bath In Wuppertal, Germany, Now A Brewery And Beer Hall. 1993 vs. 2019

Injustpotato Report

#38

Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula 1964 - 2016

Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula 1964 - 2016

Logan-rice88 Report

#39

Trains At Harper's Ferry, Wv In 1947 And 2021. The 1947 Image Taken By Ed Wittekind, 2021 Image Shot By Me In The Same Exact Spot

Trains At Harper's Ferry, Wv In 1947 And 2021. The 1947 Image Taken By Ed Wittekind, 2021 Image Shot By Me In The Same Exact Spot

AGuyFromMaryland Report

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Inga Paškevičiūtė
Community Member
2 years ago

The second one was blinded by the first one

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Note: this post originally had 104 images. It’s been shortened to the top 39 images based on user votes.