Pastmaps Website Offers Historical City Map Comparisons

The Pastmaps website provides users with the ability to explore historical city maps, tracing urban development over decades and centuries. The service enables users to compare contemporary street-level views with past cartography using an interactive slider.

Using Pastmaps is straightforward. Users can search for a city within their web browser, after which the platform presents a list of available historical maps. Selecting a map provides a detailed, interactive view of the city from that specific era. The slider then allows for a smooth transition between the historical map and the modern-day equivalent of the same area.

The service currently focuses on cities within the United States, with stated intentions to expand its coverage in the future. Pastmaps operates entirely through a web browser, requiring no downloads or installations. Basic access is free with weekly usage limits, while full access and advanced features are available through an annual subscription.