8 Then And Now Photos In Michigan That Show Just How Much It Has Changed

In the Mitten State, some things never change like our beautiful Great Lakes and soft, sandy beaches. But some things have changed so much that if you time traveled you wouldn’t recognize where you were. Take a look at these then-and-now pictures of Michigan that show just how much we’ve changed.

1. Opened in 1903, the Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit produced luxury cars and was the most advanced automotive plant in the country.

2. The Packard factory closed down in 1958 and was used by other businesses until the 1990s. Since then, it has been abandoned and deemed a safety hazard. Currently, the building is in the process of being demolished and will be just a memory.

3. Lake of the Clouds is a gorgeous lake within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula.

4. Thankfully, not much has changed in this little slice of paradise. Lake of the Clouds will continue to be a popular hiking and tourist destination for years to come.

5. The Traverse City State Hospital was a psychiatric hospital built in 1885 and operated until 1989.

6. While the exterior looks very much the same, the interior is completely different. The grand buildings have been preserved and renovated into condominiums, offices, shops, and restaurants. You can also participate in an asylum tour and visit other vacant buildings along with the creepy underground tunnels.

7. Holland in West Michigan is known for Tulip Time with parade floats heading down 8th street. This photo from 1961 shows downtown Holland in all its festive glory.

8. This is the same street and location as the first photo in the present day. Nearly all the shops and restaurants are different except Fris Supply Shop, which is still in business. Rows of trees have been planted on either side of 8th street, which feature colorful foliage in the fall.

Has your town had a big transformation over the years or does it look the same? Let us know about it in the comments below. Speaking of Michigan towns that have changed over time, do you know about The Former Resort Town Of Idlewild That Is Full Of History?