While browsing Flickr, I came across some fascinating photos of Champaign and Urbana in 1975. Several images have then-and-now comparisons in the comments.
The following are my favorites:
- Downtown Champaign – The streets look so open without warning signs, stop lights, or excessive striping.
- Urbana Cinema – Now an art gallery, though I like that the owners have retained the classic sign.
- Kirby's Firestone – Very little change in 33 years.
- The immortal caution sawhorse – The restaurant is gone, but the caution sawhorse remains.
- Walnut Street Tea Company – I buy most of my caffeinated beverages from this store. On one visit, I mentioned that I had found this image from 1975. The proprietor told me she had bought the suite in the early 1980s.