I've seen this done several times previously with the original photograph above. From example page 16 of "How buildings Learn" by Stewart Brand from 1994 (a really great book) has this exact comparison with a photograph from 1981 (the tall building the the exact centre is missing). There is another example from last year here: <a href="http://stevedunwell.com/aboveandbeyond/?p=27" rel="nofollow">http://stevedunwell.com/aboveandbeyond/?p=27</a> and another here <a href="http://www.boston.com/ae/specials/aerialboston/" rel="nofollow">http://www.boston.com/ae/specials/aerialboston/</a>
It's amazing to see the buildings that are still there. Moving the mouse quickly left and right on the comparison picture shows up quite a few buildings that appear unchanged.
It's fascinating to see how some of the main constructs that help define a city ie. major roads, intersections, are still highly visible and intact over 100 years later.<p>Would recommend "The City in History" by Lewis Mumford. Great read about how cities have formed, died, and some renewed throughout history.
Very cool. My company has offices on the left hand edge by the Old South Meeting house spire near Milk St. Amazing how much stuff has changes and stayed the same. The spire's was where the revolution started in 1773. It's now dwarfed on all sides.