ADVERTISEMENT

What will your city look like 100 years from now? It might be hard to imagine. Perhaps future generations will live in utopia. Or maybe the earth will turn into one big disaster.

What we do know is that the world looked completely different a century ago. Things seemed quieter. Skyscrapers, and buzzing traffic weren't the order of the day. Some cities didn't even exist yet. While others have since grown beyond recognition, shaped by wars, waves of migration, modernization, and technological revolution.

Bored Panda has put together a fascinating list of photographs that show just how much things have changed. Whether you're a history lover, an architecture enthusiast, or purely curious about places, prepare yourself for a visual journey of a different kind. Keep scrolling to see how time has transformed the places we call home, and don't forget to upvote your favorites.

We also explore what people back then believed the world would like today, and some of the beliefs were quite interesting. You'll find that info between the images.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Lively Street In Tokyo Around 1900-1920

Crowded street scene with trams, pedestrians, and carts in a historical photograph showing the world 100 years ago.

Keystone-France / Contributor Report

Final score:
29points
POST
ravenkbh avatar
Ravenkbh
Ravenkbh
Community Member
1 year ago

Godzilla will get rid of all that congestion

6
6points
reply
RELATED:
    #2

    Interior Of Casa Rosada Of Buenos Aires, 1923

    Interior view of a historical government building with ornate furniture and plants in a photograph from 100 years ago.

    Archivo General de la Nación Argentina Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    sarafrazer avatar
    Sara Frazer
    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    😻

    3
    3points
    reply
    View more comments
    #3

    1922 North Brabant, Netherlands

    Historical photograph of a medieval gate in a cobblestone street showing what the world looked like 100 years ago.

    Steenbergh, CJ (Cornelis) Report

    Final score:
    22points
    POST
    angus-mailbox avatar
    Andrew Burke
    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not much has changed (except the house on the left is gone): https://maps.app.goo.gl/NoxFfNwhDfZwT2v17

    3
    3points
    reply
    View more comments
    #4

    Military School Cadets Marching Down Parodos Street, 1920, Kaunas, Lithuania

    Historical photographs showing a group of soldiers marching on a rural road surrounded by trees and fences.

    Goharskiy Report

    Final score:
    21points
    POST
    johannazamora_1 avatar
    Pyla
    Pyla
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Give me cavalry photos!

    1
    1point
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Plaza De Mayo 1920 , Argentina

    Vintage street scene with early 20th-century vehicles and a bus, showcasing historical photographs from 100 years ago.

    serg145 Report

    Final score:
    21points
    POST
    ravenkbh avatar
    Ravenkbh
    Ravenkbh
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    It's next to the Plaza De Ketchup

    11
    11points
    reply
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia 1923

    Busy city street scene with early 20th-century cars, trams, and pedestrians, historical photographs showing the world 100 years ago

    State Library of South Australia Report

    Final score:
    20points
    POST
    howdylee avatar
    howdylee
    howdylee
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    https://www.google.com/maps/place/King+William+St+Pharmacy/@-34.9234547,138.5996964,3a,75y,212.83h,98.1t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sg0ftBP3Md-Ntkz1Ry4NTzQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-8.104683252021914%26panoid%3Dg0ftBP3Md-Ntkz1Ry4NTzQ%26yaw%3D212.8289297289281!7i16384!8i8192!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x6ab0ced5e4de0227:0x3861ca244eaa06ed!2sKing+William+St,+Adelaide+SA+5000,+Australia!3b1!8m2!3d-34.924334!4d138.599725!16s%2Fg%2F121rvjhg!3m5!1s0x6ab0ced7c9b51307:0x5dbfc5275fa1a5be!8m2!3d-34.9247952!4d138.5999724!16s%2Fg%2F11dfttyrvp!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

    1
    1point
    reply
    View more comments
    #7

    St. Faith's Church 1900 – 1920 , New Zealand, Bay Of Plenty

    Black and white historical photograph of a church with a tall steeple and gated entrance from 100 years ago.

    Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries Report

    Final score:
    19points
    POST
    angus-mailbox avatar
    Andrew Burke
    Andrew Burke
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Still there :) :https://maps.app.goo.gl/PWhS7pTGXqzGHrWh9

    4
    4points
    reply
    #8

    1920 Nuremberg , Germany, Bavaria, Middle Franconia, Nuremberg

    Black and white historical photograph of a city street with horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles from 100 years ago.

    plnkr Report

    Final score:
    18points
    POST
    j-vagabond avatar
    General Anaesthesia
    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Hauptbahnhof, Central Station.

    3
    3points
    reply
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Ballroom At Flinders Street Station 1920 – 1940 , Australia, Victoria

    Black and white historical photograph of young girls practicing gymnastics in a large hall from 100 years ago.

    imgur.com Report

    Final score:
    18points
    POST
    pisspaladin avatar
    Zero Costa
    Zero Costa
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    TIL there's a ballroom at Flinders Street station...?? or used to be

    3
    3points
    reply
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Inner Courtyard Of A Madrasah With A Flower Garden, 1925, Yerevan

    Black and white historical photograph showing a traditional courtyard and architecture from 100 years ago.

    Zasypkin B.N. Report

    Final score:
    17points
    POST
    #11

    Langenberg. Gasthof 1920 – 1930 , Poland

    Black and white historical photograph of men with bicycles outside a building depicting the world 100 years ago.

    Mariusz Brzeziński Report

    Final score:
    16points
    POST
    jaaleezee avatar
    HardBoiledBlonde
    HardBoiledBlonde
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This was Germany at the time, not Poland. .

    7
    7points
    reply
    #12

    Loaded Freight Barge Passing The Russian Consulate, Huangpu, Shanghai, 1919

    Black and white historical photograph showing river life and buildings from 100 years ago with boats and a distant bridge.

    Hutchinson Family Report

    Final score:
    16points
    POST
    timgibbs avatar
    Tim Gibbs
    Tim Gibbs
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    And Astorhouse

    2
    2points
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    City Hall 1920 , Canada, Ontario

    Historic photograph showing a cityscape with a prominent clock tower and surrounding buildings from 100 years ago.

    Archives of Ontario Report

    Final score:
    15points
    POST
    j-vagabond avatar
    General Anaesthesia
    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Toronto, Ontario.

    6
    6points
    reply
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    1921 , France, Metropolitan France, Île-De-France, Paris, 6th Arrondissement (Luxembourg), Notre-Dame-Des-Champs

    Historic black and white photograph showing a large arched wooden gate in a cobblestone courtyard from 100 years ago.

    pospelov Report

    Final score:
    15points
    POST
    ravenkbh avatar
    Ravenkbh
    Ravenkbh
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Close the d@mn door!!!!

    2
    2points
    reply
    View more comments
    #15

    1920 , Germany, Berlin

    Black and white historical photograph of a 100-year-old city bridge and riverside buildings from the past.

    maxuju1 Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    1921 Brazil, Southeast Region, State Of Rio De Janeiro

    Historical photographs show a seaside promenade with people, horse-drawn carriages, and waves crashing along the shore.

    Ilya Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Tram Stop In Brussels, October 1922

    Black and white historical photographs showing a street scene with people and a kiosk from 100 years ago.

    tockholm Transport Museum Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Handloom Weaver At Work In The Street, Shanghai, 1920

    Black and white historical photograph showing street life and traditional activities from 100 years ago.

    Hutchinson Family Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    lorraine1066 avatar
    Pagan squirrel
    Pagan squirrel
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Backache!

    0
    0points
    reply
    #19

    View Of Nihonbashi Bridge With Boats Underneath 1911 – 1920 , Japan, Tokyo

    Black and white historical photograph of a stone bridge with ornate lampposts over a river, showing the world 100 years ago.

    George Rinhart / Contributor Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    #20

    Main Building, Armour Institute Of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, CA 1920s

    Historical photographs showing a street with vintage cars parked alongside a large, ornate brick building from 100 years ago.

    Illinois Institute of Technology Report

    Final score:
    13points
    POST
    stephen-brown31 avatar
    DowntownStevieB
    DowntownStevieB
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Still looks the same!

    2
    2points
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Birmingham. Ward End Park 1900 – 1920 , United Kingdom

    Black and white historical photograph of a large mansion surrounded by trees and benches, showing the world 100 years ago.

    Ebay Report

    Final score:
    13points
    POST
    timgibbs avatar
    Tim Gibbs
    Tim Gibbs
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Still looks like that except in colour 🤣

    4
    4points
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    1920, Perfume Store, Riga, Latvia

    Early 20th-century street scene with men walking on cobblestone road in historical photographs showing the world 100 years ago.

    ihs Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    #23

    1925-1935, Czech Republic, Prague

    Historical photograph showing a street scene with vintage tram and classical buildings from 100 years ago.

    alexstone Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    #24

    1920, Switzerland, Canton Of Zürich

    Vintage historical photograph showing a residential street scene with houses and trees from 100 years ago.

    Fotograf_in unbekannt Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    View Of Canberra 1920 – 1940 , Australia

    Historic black and white photograph of a large government building with open fields, showing the world 100 years ago.

    serg145 Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    timgibbs avatar
    Tim Gibbs
    Tim Gibbs
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Many people wish it still looked like this

    2
    2points
    reply
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Imperial Theatre In Marunouchi, Tokyo, 1924

    Historic black and white photo showing a grand building and street scene from historical photographs 100 years ago.

    Meiji and Taisho Postcards Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    #27

    1920, Tirana, Albania

    Children standing near vintage cars in a historical photograph showing what the world looked like 100 years ago.

    kosta korçari Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    iajdini avatar
    Bardhi's Dad
    Bardhi's Dad
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    You should see Tirana today. A true European metropolis.

    0
    0points
    reply
    #28

    1930 Stari Grad Urban Municipality (Belgrad) , Serbia

    Black and white historical photograph of a city street with early 20th-century architecture and few pedestrians 100 years ago

    Old Belgrade Report

    Final score:
    9points
    POST
    mica0987654321 avatar
    OneHappyPuppy
    OneHappyPuppy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Still looks the same, add a few concrete-glass monstrosities here and there and voila!

    1
    1point
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    1920, USA, Texas, Mclennan County, Waco

    Historic photograph of a 100-year-old Behrens D**g Co. building with people standing outside on a city street.

    Baylor University Libraries: The Texas Collection Report

    Final score:
    7points
    POST
    leeandalexis avatar
    Lee Gilliland
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    Looks like the Book Depository in Dallas.

    2
    2points
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    Tampere Girls' School 1924, Finland

    Historic black and white photograph of a large brick building showcasing architecture from 100 years ago.

    Vapriikki Photo Archive Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    Get more Bored Panda on Google See our stories first in Search and Discover
    Prefer us in Search Follow on Discover