Travel Back in Time Through Your Hometown
Ever walk past a building and wonder what used to be there? When It Was has the answer. Click any location in Palatine to instantly see every business that's occupied that spot throughout history.
Our interactive map is live now with hundreds of businesses, photos, and stories from Palatine's past. Slide the timeline from the 1950s to today and watch your town transform. See historical photos, read community stories, and discover the forgotten history hiding in plain sight.
🎬 Featured Collection: Al Capone's Chicago
Prohibition Era Locations (1919-1933)
Explore 38 historic locations tied to Al Capone during the Prohibition era. From his headquarters at the Lexington Hotel to the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre site, discover the places that defined Chicago's gangster era.
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Help Us Grow the Archive
Our community of passionate history enthusiasts, local experts, and curious explorers are actively preserving the stories that make Palatine special.
As a contributor, you'll join others who are saving memories before they're lost forever and building a resource that future generations will treasure.
Submit Locations
Add addresses and buildings with historical significance in your area.
All contributions are reviewed by our team to ensure accuracy and quality.
How It Works
Interactive Map Explorer
Click any location in Palatine to see its complete business history. Search by address, business name, or just explore what's nearby.
Time Slider
Slide through decades from the 1950s to today. Watch businesses come and go as your city transforms before your eyes.
Historical Photos
Browse photos showing how locations looked throughout different eras. Community members have uploaded hundreds of images from Palatine's past.
Community Comments
Read personal memories and stories about local places. Share your own experiences and help preserve family connections to the community.
Become a Contributor
Submit new locations, businesses, photos, and stories through our contributor portal. All submissions are reviewed for accuracy.
Business Details
See when businesses opened and closed, view their photos, and read interesting facts about each location's history.
Mobile Optimized
Fully responsive design works perfectly on phones and tablets. Perfect for walking tours or satisfying curiosity on the spot.
Smart Search
Find locations by business name, address, or category. Results filter in real-time as you type.
Growing Database
Currently featuring Palatine, IL with plans to expand nationwide. Help us document your city's history!
Our Mission
🏛️ Preserving Local History
We're creating a permanent digital archive of what used to be before memories fade and old buildings disappear. Every business, every landmark, every story matters and deserves to be remembered.
👥 Building Community
Our platform connects neighbors who share memories of the same places. Longtime residents share their stories while newcomers discover the rich history beneath their feet.
📚 Making History Accessible
No more digging through dusty archives or old newspapers. We've made local history instantly accessible to everyone—just click a location and start exploring.
🚀 Expanding Nationwide
Palatine is just the beginning. We're building the infrastructure to document every city and town across America. Want your city next? Become a contributor today.