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3 pairs

Then and then

The same place, photographed twice, years apart. Drag the slider to fade from the earlier picture to the later one. We only pair photographs that are both in the public domain and show the same place from close to the same spot; for today's view, each place page describes what stands there now.

The Lincoln Memorial, 1916 and 1920

In 1916 the colonnade is half built, with derricks still rigged above it and stone stacked on the raw fill in front. Four years later the building is finished on the outside, though it would not be dedicated until May 1922, and the bare ground in front is a place to park a new motor car.

A columned building half built, with cranes on top A 1920 touring car in front of the Lincoln Memorial
c. July 19161920
A columned building half built, with cranes on top
c. July 1916 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1916, its colonnade rising on the fill beside the Potomac.
A 1920 touring car in front of the Lincoln Memorial
1920 A King motor car parked before the Lincoln Memorial, 1920.

c. July 1916: The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1916, its colonnade rising on the fill beside the Potomac. (National Photo Company Collection, LOT 12359-1-A [item] [P&P])
1920: A King motor car parked before the Lincoln Memorial, 1920. (National Photo Company Collection, LOT 12350-1 [item] [P&P]) · The Lincoln Memorial

Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street, 1916–17 and 1919

Looking down the avenue toward the Capitol from the Treasury end, with the Old Post Office tower on the right. The buildings barely change in three years; the traffic does, as motor cars replace the wagons at the kerb.

A long avenue receding toward the Capitol with a clock tower and signs A long avenue with streetcars receding toward the Capitol dome
c. 1916–17October 3, 1919
A long avenue receding toward the Capitol with a clock tower and signs
c. 1916–17 Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street toward the Capitol, with the Old Post Office tower on the right.
A long avenue with streetcars receding toward the Capitol dome
October 3, 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue seen from the Treasury toward the Capitol, October 3, 1919.

c. 1916–17: Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street toward the Capitol, with the Old Post Office tower on the right. (National Photo Company Collection, LC-F82- 1669 [P&P])
October 3, 1919: Pennsylvania Avenue seen from the Treasury toward the Capitol, October 3, 1919. (National Photo Company Collection, LOT 12293, v. 1 [item] [P&P]) · Pennsylvania Avenue

The cherry trees at the Tidal Basin, 1912–15 and about 1920

The Yoshino cherries planted in 1912 are still slender in the first view; a few years later their crowns have spread over the walk. The Washington Monument stands across the water in both.

A path under flowering cherry trees beside water, an obelisk far off Blossoming trees beside a curving pool of water, the Washington Monument beyond
c. 1912–15c. 1919–20
A path under flowering cherry trees beside water, an obelisk far off
c. 1912–15 The Japanese cherry trees in blossom along the Tidal Basin, with the Washington Monument in the distance.
Blossoming trees beside a curving pool of water, the Washington Monument beyond
c. 1919–20 Cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin wall, the Washington Monument and a smoking factory chimney across the water, around 1920.

c. 1912–15: The Japanese cherry trees in blossom along the Tidal Basin, with the Washington Monument in the distance. (Detroit Publishing Company, LC-D418-73523 [P&P])
c. 1919–20: Cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin wall, the Washington Monument and a smoking factory chimney across the water, around 1920. (National Photo Company Collection, LC-F82- 4055 [P&P]) · The Tidal Basin and Potomac Park