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  4. THEN AND NOW: Photos show what 10 popular attractions in the US looked like when they opened versus today

THEN AND NOW: Photos show what 10 popular attractions in the US looked like when they opened versus today

Sophie-Claire Hoeller   

THEN AND NOW: Photos show what 10 popular attractions in the US looked like when they opened versus today
Governor Goodwin J. Knight of California (left), and Walt Disney (right), accompanied by Virginia Knight, wife of the governor, at the opening parade for Disneyland, July 17, 1955.AP
  • Some US attractions look practically unchanged from when they first opened, like the Statue of Liberty, which was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.
  • Others, like Times Square in New York City or the Las Vegas Strip, are almost unrecognizable.
  • Disneyland, which started as a small, single theme park in California, has grown into a multi-park behemoth since its opening in 1955.

Many of the most famous attractions in the US are not nearly as old as you might think.

As such, we have photographic evidence of their construction, their opening days, or early-day sightseers braving these fascinating new landmarks.

From Disneyland to Las Vegas, see what popular attractions in the US looked like in their earliest days.

THEN: According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone is believed to be the first national park in the world, established in 1872.

THEN: According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone is believed to be the first national park in the world, established in 1872.
The Old Faithful geyser in 1872. The picture was taken as part of the Hayden Survey.      Photo by William H Jackson/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

NOW: Yellowstone sees around 4 million visitors annually, according to the National Park Service, making it one of the most popular national parks in the country.

NOW: Yellowstone sees around 4 million visitors annually, according to the National Park Service, making it one of the most popular national parks in the country.
Old Faithful is one of Yellowstone's main attractions.      Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images

THEN: Las Vegas was founded in 1905, as the City of Las Vegas notes, but Sin City as we know it really came to be in 1931, when gambling was legalized, according to History.com.

THEN: Las Vegas was founded in 1905, as the City of Las Vegas notes, but Sin City as we know it really came to be in 1931, when gambling was legalized, according to History.com.
Sin City looked very different in 1934.      Bettmann/Getty Images

NOW: The city now sees around 42 million visitors a year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

NOW: The city now sees around 42 million visitors a year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Las Vegas has so many lights it's considered the brightest place on Earth.      George Rose/Getty Images

THEN: The beginning of the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam in 1931 brought in a wave of workers, growing Vegas' population as well as its economy, per the City of Las Vegas.

THEN: The beginning of the construction of the nearby Hoover Dam in 1931 brought in a wave of workers, growing Vegas
Construction started in 1931, and the Hoover Dam officially opened on March 1,1936.      Bettmann/Getty Images

NOW: According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam creates hydroelectric power for 1.3 million people in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

NOW: According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam creates hydroelectric power for 1.3 million people in California, Arizona, and Nevada.
The Hoover Dam was originally known as the Boulder Dam.      Shutterstock

THEN: The Statue of Liberty was built in Paris, France, shipped across the Atlantic in 200 crates, reassembled in New York City, and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886, according to History.com.

THEN: The Statue of Liberty was built in Paris, France, shipped across the Atlantic in 200 crates, reassembled in New York City, and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886, according to History.com.
The feet of the Statue of Liberty arrived on Liberty Island in 1885.      Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Source: History.com

NOW: Lady Liberty's torch wasn't always gold: It was covered with thin, 24-karat sheets during an extensive restoration in 1986, according to the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation.

NOW: Lady Liberty
Around 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty annually.      spyarm/Shutterstock

THEN: When the Empire State Building in New York City was dedicated on May 1, 1931, it was the world's tallest skyscraper, according to History.com.

THEN: When the Empire State Building in New York City was dedicated on May 1, 1931, it was the world
The Empire State Building dedication ceremony included ex-Governor Alfred E. Smith, and Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt.      Bettmann/Getty Images

Source: History.com

NOW: According to CNN, on a clear day visitors can see almost 80 miles into the distance, as far as New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

NOW: According to CNN, on a clear day visitors can see almost 80 miles into the distance, as far as New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
The Empire State Building sees around 4 million visitors annually.      Harrison Jacobs/Business Insider

Source: CNN

THEN: When San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, it cost 5 cents to buy a ticket to walk across the bridge or 25 cents for a souvenir ticket, according to Getty.

THEN: When San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge is two miles long.      Bettmann/Getty Images

Source: Getty

NOW: Around 40,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, according to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.

NOW: Around 40,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, according to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.
The bridge has its very own color, called Golden Gate Bridge International Orange.      Travel Stock/Shutterstock

THEN: Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square changed its name when The New York Times built a fancy new building on the block in 1904, according to Times Square's official website.

THEN: Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square changed its name when The New York Times built a fancy new building on the block in 1904, according to Times Square
The Times Square building was the second-tallest building in New York City at the time.      Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Source: Times Square

NOW: Times Square is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and can see up to 450,000 pedestrians in a single day, per Times Square's website.

NOW: Times Square is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and can see up to 450,000 pedestrians in a single day, per Times Square
Times Square is one of New York City's most highly trafficked areas.      DANIEL SLIM/AFP/Getty Images

Source: Times Square

THEN: Disneyland first opened its doors in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, to an estimated, 28,154 people — far more than anticipated.

THEN: Disneyland first opened its doors in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, to an estimated, 28,154 people — far more than anticipated.
When the park first opened it was a fraction of the size it is today.      University of Southern California/Getty Images

Source: Insider

NOW: According to a 2019 article from the Los Angeles Times, the park regularly hits capacity, and while it says those numbers remain undisclosed, it cites an Imagineering director as saying that 65,000 people a day is "normal." While it's currently closed, the park has plans to reopen in July.

NOW: According to a 2019 article from the Los Angeles Times, the park regularly hits capacity, and while it says those numbers remain undisclosed, it cites an Imagineering director as saying that 65,000 people a day is "normal." While it
Disney is famous for its colorful parades.      MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images

THEN: On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.

THEN: On October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.
Julie Andrews (center) performed at the opening ceremony.      NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Source: Disney

NOW: Walt Disney World News states that the park covers around 39 square miles — which is almost the same size as San Francisco.

NOW: Walt Disney World News states that the park covers around 39 square miles — which is almost the same size as San Francisco.
It's one of the most-visited theme parks in the world.      Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

THEN: The Mall of America opened in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 1992, to around 150,000 people, according to Business Insider.

THEN: The Mall of America opened in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 1992, to around 150,000 people, according to Business Insider.
The Mall of America, Minnesota, on August 12, 1992.      Bill Pugliano/Liaison/Getty Images

NOW: According to Business Insider, more than 42 million people from all over the world come to the mall annually, which is still the largest mall in the US.

NOW: According to Business Insider, more than 42 million people from all over the world come to the mall annually, which is still the largest mall in the US.
The mall covers 5.6 million square feet and has a theme park, an aquarium, and over 500 stores.      Jeffrey J Coleman/Shutterstock

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