"Then and Now", USA!
It's time for more "Then and Now" fun, featuring two vintage images, along with contemporary views of the same locations.
This first one is was a mystery to me, although I knew it was from 1946, and very likely from Virginia (based on the license plate in the lower right). Luckily it did not take long to ID the location - a quick search for "Kidwell's Foodland" (the store to our left) yielded results right away! This is Bowling Green, Virginia - we're looking south on what was "Virginia Route 2" (now part of U.S. Route 301).
It's not the most exciting photo in the world, but it is still a great look at a typical sleepy small town, with some bitchin' old cars! Pay no attention to that man near "Annie's Ready to Wear".
According to Wikipedia, one of the first stage lines in America used this road regularly; Bowling Green was originally called "New Hope", named after the New Hope Tavern.
Here's a Google Maps image; you can see the same hip-roofed building to the far right in both pictures. According to Bowling Green's web page, you can, "...Take a walk along our tree-lined streets. Stroll through the historic district and see the Colonial and Victorian homes. Visit the Civil War Trails sites and view Sidney King's Union Occupation Mural on the lawn of the 1835 Jeffersonian Courthouse. Dine at one of the restaurants, shop with the merchants, and spend the night at one of the inns." Don't mind if I do!
This next one was unlabeled too, but it wasn't hard to recognize the famous Mormon Temple in the distance, with its pointy towers. The slide has the year "1955" written on it, so that's helpful. The photo was actually taken very near the Utah State Capitol, near the intersection of 300 North and North Main Street. The large white building that appears to be across the street from the Temple is Joseph Smith Memorial Building, formerly known as the "Hotel Utah", one of the finest buildings in the city.
As is so often the case, trees now obscure much of the vista, including the Temple. But, try as I might, I can't stay mad at trees!
I hope you have enjoyed today's "Then and Now" selections.
8 comments:
I love the first photo featuring Virginia Route 2, Bowling Green, Virginia. Wonderful! Now it's time for the auto experts to chime in. Thanks, Major.
Did anyone else think of the Texaco in Back to the future when they saw those first 2 pictures?
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/bttf/images/9/92/Texaco1955wide.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080110081542
http://news.greatblogabout.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/windowslivewriterbacktothefuturecontinue.part2-101a8373.jpg
K. Martinez, these cars might be a little older than the ones that our car experts are familiar with. Still, we'll see!
Dean Finder, I didn't think of BTTF for that one, but I had a photo of a Texaco station on April 26, 2014, and that one DID make me think of that movie!
I'm afraid I'm in a class all day and cannot ID the fine autos on my iPhone screen. Perhaps later... It appears the 'crooked utility pole" in the "then" image from Bowling Green is still in service in the "now" image-!
And, sorry Major, I'm just not into "ready-to-wear" fashion. With me, it's all about the couture-!
Wonder how it went from being known for the New Hope Tavern to a bowling green. But I'm with Ken in liking the town as seen in the old pic. A lot of neat old trucks (hay!), a fillin' station and one of them fancy newfangled knee-on signs even, lamb's sake. It looks empty and soulless in the current pic. Agree the description from their web page sounds inviting though.
Okay-
Let's try this...
The tan car, just beyond Kidwell's Foodland, is a 1946-48 Plymouth. And if the image is from 1946, well, there you go.
On our right, first-up I want to say is a 1936 Plymouth - but I could be wrong; and behind it, a 1939 or 40 Ford.
In Salt Lake City - the grey auto is a 1946-48 Dodge. In front of it is a 1946-49 Studebaker. And in front of it is (I think) a 1958 Rambler - but that would be at odds with the handwritten date. So, who knows.
Nanook - You are the man! I knew you'd come through. Thanks!
The old Texaco is currently my business of 10 years. Its great seeing these old photos of the place! And the town was renamed Bowling Green after the then owner of the old mansion, known as Bowling on the Green, donated land for the county seat in the early 1800's.
Post a Comment