Experience Your Favorite Cities Through These Vintage Photo Collections

Everyone likes to talk about the "good ol' days" of their city — the days before high rises and high-end coffee shops took over and a little bit of history got squeezed out as a result. Most people, however, neglect to look much past the decade or two they've lived in a certain spot, forgetting the years of growth and change that brought the city to its current incarnation. We've rounded up some of our favorite spots on the web to check out cool, historic photos of some of our favorite cities, and you can give them a look.

Nashville, TN

Bob Grannis and Leila Grossman

Grannis Photography has an extensive collection of vintage photos of Nashville, from way back when at the Grand Ole Opry to the days when Green Hills Market was a fixture in what is now Trader Joe's and Whole Foods territory. The site is run by professional Nashville photographer Leila Grossman, who bought the photo archives of Bob Grannis in 1997.

Denver, CO

Photo via Denver Public Library

The digital archives of the Denver Public Library are a gold mine of historic photos, many of which are essential to understanding Western history. With over 50 collections of photographs available, the archive is sure to have something for everyone.

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga has a lot of history, and Deep Zoom Chattanooga is one of the web's best resources for exploring it. The image galleries, which are categorized by decade and go back to the 1800s, were pulled together by Sam Hall, a history enthusiast who spent years making the project into what it is today. 

Portland, OR

City of Portland Archives, Oregon, SE 4514 E Burnside Street near SE 45th Avenue, A2011-013, 1964

Vintage Portland is a photo blog created and run by the City of Portland Archives and Records Center. With categories broken down by both decade and geographic location, the blog is a wonderful source for anyone looking for the history of a specific Portland locale.

Los Angeles, CA

Photo via Shorpy

Shorpy, an online archive of historic photos from all over, has an extensive collection of vintage photos of Los Angeles, ranging from Old Hollywood to early businesses in some of the city's most popular neighborhoods. 

Chicago, IL

Photo via Shorpy

Shorpy is also a wonderful resource for historic photos of Chicago, collecting early images of landmarks like Grant Park and showing what 1910 Chicagoans saw as a "Changing Chicago."


Lede photo: City of Portland Archive, Oregon, Logan Oldsmobile Company on the corner of SE Grand Avenue and SE Yamhill Street, A2011-013, 1961

Traveler: Your Guide to Chattanooga

Once one of the dirtiest cities in the country, Chattanooga, TN, is now known as America's Scenic City … and that's not a title given lightly. Surrounded by mountains, bolstered by a thriving arts community, and situated along the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a gem of the Southeast, one that's now known for its growing tech scene as much as it is its long-beloved outdoor culture. A native Chattanoogan myself, here are some of my favorite spots in the quickly growing city.

Getting there

If you're in the Southeast — particulary around Nashville, Knoxville, or Atlanta — getting to Chattanooga is a piece of cake. Unfortunately, however, you can no longer take the famed Chattanooga Choo Choo, which now serves as one of the city's more interesting hotels. 

Accommodations

[Photo credit: J. Stephen Conn / Foter.com / CC BY-NC]

If you're gonna Airbnb it, check out upcoming neighborhoods like Southside or, for a room with a view, look for rentals on Lookout Mountain. If you'd like your stay to be a bit more historical, book a room at the aforementioned Chattanooga Choo Choo or stay at the Read House, a historic hotel known around town to be haunted. 

Food

[Photo credit: Lorenia / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND]

Chattanooga's food scene has grown exponentially over the years. With new restaurants popping up every day, you're sure to find good eats no matter what part of town you hit. Some highlights include the tiny breakfast joint Aretha Frankenstein's (Don't leave without trying the pancakes!), farm-to-table eatery the Farmer's Daughter, and the game-filled Southside Social. If you're in need of a caffeine boost, head over to Rembrandt's in the Bluff View Art District, which is conveniently located at the end of the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge and offers easy access to several restaurants, as well as the Hunter Museum of Art. 

Drink

[Photo credit: Larry Miller / Foter.com / CC BY-NC]

Chattanooga may be small, but it's drink scene is not. The Chattanooga Whiskey Company recently opened the Tennessee Stillhouse, where guests can sample the first whiskey made within Chattanooga city limits in over a century. You can also hit up breweries like Chattanooga Brewing Co. and Hutton & Smith Brewery, both of which have taprooms and food for a more leisurely drinking experience. Check out basement bar the Bitter Alibi and the multi-level Flying Squirrel when you need a nightcap after a long day exploring.

Local Flavor

[Photo credit: Kay Gaensler / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA]

There's too much to do in Chattanooga for one weekend trip, but a great way to experience a touch of the local culture is to take your own walking tour. Start with the locally owned shops and galleries on Frazier Ave., take a stroll and a carousel ride in Coolidge Park, cross the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, and visit the Hunter Museum of American Art in the Bluff View Arts District. If you have the time, don't miss the Tennessee Aquarium, one of the country's largest freshwater aquariums, and be sure to head up Lookout Mountain for my own personal favorite Chattanooga landmark, Rock City. (If you go during the holidays, be sure to go check out the Christmas lights at night.) There are also outdoor activities galore — from hiking to climbing to SUP — so be sure to pack your outdoor gear, if you really want to see the best the city has to offer. Chattanooga was voted Outside Online's Best Town Ever, after all.


Lede photo courtesy of C Simmons / Foter.com / CC BY-NC