Once in a while, it’s good to revisit the past to gain a true appreciation for the present. In Minnesota, it’s easy to see how much has changed when we compare photos of the past to modern times. Here are some of the coolest comparisons:

  1. Then - A shopping center in 1947 at 66th and Lyndale.

Flickr/David Haines by way of Minnesota Historical Society

Now - Modern Minnesota shopping looks a little more like this.

Flickr/Tony Webster

  1. Then - The 1940 Winter Carnival Ice Palace in St. Paul.

Flickr/Joe Haupt

Now - The 2004 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Castle.

Flickr/Kendrick Erickson

  1. Then - Minnehaha Falls in 1906.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - The walkways are paved and the landscape changed, although the falls remain the same.

Flickr/Mark Gstohl

  1. Then - Duluth from Minnesota Point in 1901.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - Duluth is modern and colorful in this new photo.

Flickr/Randen Pederson

  1. Then - Minneapolis Skyline in 1911.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - Minneapolis sure looks taller.

Flickr/Michael Hicks

  1. Then - A different view of Minneapolis, from 1912.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - Another stunning comparison of Minneapolis.

Flickr/m01229

  1. Then - St. Cloud in 1902.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - St. Cloud now is definitely changed!

Flickr/Randy Stern

  1. Then - An old train in Swatara, MN.

Flickr/delunula dot com

Now - Today’s trains look like modern marvels.

Flickr/Michael Hicks

  1. Then - 1910 in a Mesabi Range iron mine.

Flickr/Marion Doss

Now - Filled with water in many parts, the Mesabi Iron Range provides these scenic lakes.

Flickr/sheldonschwartz

  1. Then - The MN Senate in 1901.

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Now - The MN Senate Chamber looks spectacular.

Flickr/Matt Lewis

It’s amazing to see how much time changes places with technology, architecture, and so much more. Which comparison do think is the most interesting?

Flickr/David Haines by way of Minnesota Historical Society

Flickr/Tony Webster

Flickr/Joe Haupt

Flickr/Kendrick Erickson

Flickr/Ashley Van Haeften

Flickr/Mark Gstohl

Flickr/Randen Pederson

Flickr/Michael Hicks

Flickr/m01229

Flickr/Randy Stern

Flickr/delunula dot com

Flickr/Marion Doss

Flickr/sheldonschwartz

Flickr/Matt Lewis

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