In just a few inches, these two photos span more than a century. Kind readers will recognize this image as an eastward view of Cross Street, taken just east of Huron. It encompasses the old City Hall on the left, Cross Street Bridge, and a sliver of Riverside Park.
Between the 1907 photo and the 2009 photo, how many differences can you spot? There are also a couple of structures that Dusty D does not recognize, to my chagrin--but perhaps a reader will! You can click on each photo for a larger image.
Here are the differences I notice:
1. The 2009 photo features some 250-horsepower vehicles; the old photo features a 1-horsepower vehicle.
2. The old photo has what appears to be manually-operated railroad traffic barriers in the distance. Where did the operator stay?
3. The new photo features an addition on the east side of the old City Hall at left.
4. The old photo shows a much narrower Cross Street Bridge.
5. The old photo shows a large white building opposite the river from the old City Hall. Dusty D hastens to inform readers that I once knew what this was, but have unfortunately forgotten. On the water as it is, would it be a mill?
6. The old photo displays a complex of buildings in what is now Riverside Park. What are these buildings?
7. The old photo features telegraph (?) or electrical poles; which one?
8. The new photo shows streetlights...it must have been very dark going home in 1907.
How many other differences can you spot? Feel free to add your observations and speculations in "comments."
