Cities in the late 1800s, early 1900s

[animatedmartian]

From 1870 to 1900, Detroit goes from 80,000 to 200,000 residents. From 1900 to 1920, it jumps to 900,000. Even before the city's notorious industrial boom begins, the city goes through drastic changes in a short amount of time.

Source: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/d/dpa1ic?page=index

Lafayette and Michigan 1873. Oh man...wood sidewalks.



Same intersection in 1900.



Neighborhood behind the above intersection in similar respective decades. That courthouse looking building is actually a church. Check out the new additions in the later photo.





1872 Cadillac Square



Somewhere between 1880 and 1907. Starting to look a little "modern" doesn't it?



And finally 1915. Not too many years later, Detroit's population then booms past 1 million.



By mid-century, this is what the site finally turns into.

[jg6544]

Why did it take cities so long to pave their streets?

[Fresh]

Now I shouldn't be even saying this, as a Sydney-sider it's not the done thing to acknowledge Melbourne let alone praise it. But I came across these pictures recently at the same time i learnt that in 1900 Melbourne was the second city of British Empire. I've enjoyed myself thoroughly with the old photos of American cities i've seen on this site and marveled at just how grand they were for so long ago, they become even more poignant given the decline of some.

Australia's a long way from anywhere and it is not a country that looks back at it's history that much, so I was simply unaware of the wealth and grandeur of Melbourne. At the time it was larger and much more important than Sydney and on January 1st 1901 became the capital of the new country of Australia, a title it lost to Canberra in the thirties. The buildings may not be as tall as American cities around the same time, the industry not quite as dynamic, but I think that everyone who appreciates cities and especially those historical snapshots will find something to enjoy here.

There may be a few outliers but the vast bulk come from between 1890 and 1920, leaning towards the first decade of the century.

All photos are from

http://www.thecollectormm.com.au/gal...ian/index.html

except the last which is from

http://doubleconvexphotography.com/c...rom-melbourne/














































































































http://doubleconvexphotography.com/c...ntent/uploads/

That'll do pig....

[animatedmartian]

That is some wicked awesome architecture. Looks a lot more depth than similar American styles.

Originally Posted by jg6544

Why did it take cities so long to pave their streets?

Many different factors probably. It seems like for most cities, there was no real need for paved roads until the automobile became more prominent.

[animatedmartian]

Detroit panorama dated 1866. View is from Windsor.


http://quod.lib.umich.edu/d/dpa1ic/x...77/dpa5077.tif