Posted in Tennessee December 19, 2016 by

20 Then And Now Photos That Will Forever Change The Way You See Tennessee

There’s something beautiful about a peek into the past – a moment spent wondering about what once was, the people who were once here, the lives lived before we ever touched our great state. With each of these photos, you’ll see a bit of the past, and link it tight to the present. Get ready to be wowed.

1. A scene from downtown Springfield, Tennessee
TNSOS
The photo is thought to have been taken around 1904 or 1905.
2. Downtown Springfield, circa 2012.
FlickRiver - Flickr
There are a significant lack of horses...
3. Here you can see a normal scene in Bristol, Tennessee.
TNSOS
This photograph was taken between 1915-1925.
4. 2006 looks a little bit different.
Mike D'Angelo - Flickr
Sprawling neighborhoods made way for a larger industrial and business fostering environment.
5. Here's a shot of downtown Knoxville, the business area.
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This is how Knoxville appeared in 1911.
6. Downtown Knoxville, 2010.
Deidre Woollard - Flickr
We're proud that Knoxville has maintained quite a bit of historical integrity.
7. An aerial view of Memphis.
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This is how Memphis appeared in 1967.
8. In 2006 there were a COUPLE more buildings.
Gary Bridgman - Flickr
Maybe just a few?
9. Here's a shot of downtown Nashville from across the Cumberland River.
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Taken in 1940.
10. We've definitely expanded in the last couple of years...
Jason Mrachina - Flickr
This photograph was taken in 2012.
11. First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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There is no documented date on this photograph.
12. This shot, however, was taken in 2010.
J. Stephen Conn - Flickr
The First United Methodist Church of Cleveland is now the New Life Bible College.
13. The Carousel Theatre at the University of Tennessee
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This photograph is undated.
14. Here, you can see it pictured in 2015.
Rough Tough, Real Stuff - Flickr
Not much has truly changed, don't you think?
15. This undated photo of the The Ramsey House in Knoxville documents the first stone house in the city
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It was constructed in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, however it was for Francis Alexander Ramsey.
16. Here is the Ramsey House in 2010.
DM - Flickr
It no longer has the porch, but quite a bit of the structure has been restored.
17. The Sam Davis house in Smyrna.
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This particular photograph was taken in 1949.
18. Another photograph of the Sam Davis house, this one taken in September of 2016.
Allen Forrest - Flickr
This is the kind of historic spot that doesn't change TOO too much. Thankfully, it's protected by the state.
19. Laurel Falls, circa 1940.
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Hiking back in the 1940s was much different than the ease of hiking today - a lack of REIs makes this photograph even more precious.
20. And Laurel Falls as it appears today.
Michael Hicks - Flickr
It's such a funny thing to see how nature changes in such small, effective ways over time. It's a slow grow, isn't it?

Pretty amazing, amiright? Tennessee is a pretty wonderful place. Take a moment to reflect on how lucky we all are during a beautiful wintry drive – this is the most scenic route you can take in all of Tennessee.