This “Then & Now” image blends a historic earthquake-era photograph with a present-day street view, centering on the imposing stone façade of a brand new U.S. Courthouse. Cars are parked along the curb as pedestrians pass the courthouse entrance, highlighting everyday city life against an architectural backdrop built to project strength and permanence.
In the older portion of the scene, the street in front of the building shows heavy damage—broken pavement, debris, and the jagged aftermath of ground movement—while the courthouse itself appears comparatively intact. The contrast underscores the title’s point: the courthouse “fared well in the quake,” standing solid even as the roadway suffered.
As a compelling piece of local history photography, this overlay invites viewers to compare details across time, from street infrastructure and traffic to how civic buildings anchor a neighborhood’s identity. It’s a striking historical photo that captures resilience, recovery, and the evolving urban landscape in one frame.