Travel Back in Time with Google Street View

Clear your schedule: a new feature on Google Street View allows users to click through images from the past.

1 minute read

April 24, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Here’s good news for those of us who like to peruse Google Street View and imagine ourselves in Weaverville, California or the bottom of the Grand Canyon every now and then: “starting today, Google is rolling out a new Street View feature that lets you travel back in time virtually anywhere,” reports Ashley Feinberg. So not only can we now explore cities and towns all over the world at the click of a mouse button, we can also explore the recent history of cities and towns all over the world at the click of a mouse button.

Many Google Street View users have already begun compiling gifs of buildings and street art transforming around the world.

The feature is so far available in limited locations (Weaverville, California, for instance, but not the Grand Canyon). Adds Feinberg: “while the new 'digital time capsule' feature isn't available across the board quite yet, checking out the evolution of places like the 2014 World cup Stadium and Japan both pre- and post-devastating tsunami should keep you plenty busy for now.”

Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Gizmodo

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today