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 to instantly see every business that's occupied that spot throughout history.
Our interactive map covers over 170 cities nationwide with 1,400+ historic businesses, photos, and stories. Explore Chicago's lost restaurants, Las Vegas's demolished casinos, haunted landmarks, true crime sites, and more. Slide the timeline from the 1850s to today and watch history unfold.
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 every city 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 to see its complete business history. Search by address, business name, city, or just explore what's nearby.
Time Slider
Slide through decades from the 1850s 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, from vintage casino postcards to demolished landmark portraits.
Become a Contributor
Submit new locations, businesses, photos, and stories through our contributor portal. All submissions are reviewed for accuracy.
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 across 170+ cities—just click a location and start exploring.
🚀 Expanding Nationwide
From Chicago to Las Vegas, New Orleans to Nashville—we're documenting history in cities across America. Want more coverage in your city? Become a contributor today.