Explore Chicago's past through thousands of historic photographs overlaid on an interactive map. Discover street scenes and buildings from different eras, search for specific locations, and view original archive details. This app offers a free, ad-free way to virtually wander through the city's history.
3.1
October 10, 2026
Past Chicago now supports iPhone Duo. Explore the map alongside historic photographs in a new layout for the inner display. Open or close your Duo without losing your selected photograph or zoom. Photo and film layouts adapt as you fold the screen. This update also improves landscape layouts and support for larger text.
MorePast Chicago is an educational app that displays thousands of historic photographs on an interactive map of the city. It allows users to explore street scenes and buildings from different eras and provides details about the archive source and date of each photograph.
Past Chicago facilitates learning by placing historical images directly onto the map where they were taken. You can search for specific locations, filter by year to see how areas changed over time, and zoom into photographs for detailed observation of buildings and street life.
The provided data does not specify offline functionality. However, location permission is optional, allowing exploration from anywhere, suggesting online connectivity may be required for full functionality.
Past Chicago has an age rating of 12+, making it appropriate for teenagers and adults interested in historical content. The app focuses on historical photographs and information about the city.
Past Chicago was last updated on September 9, 2026, indicating a recent update. The app was initially released on March 31, 2012, and has received updates to reach version 3.0.
Past Chicago is made for iPhone and iPad devices. It is compatible with both platforms, offering a consistent experience across Apple's mobile ecosystem.
No, Past Chicago is completely free of ads. The app explicitly states that there are no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases, ensuring an uninterrupted user experience.
Each photograph in Past Chicago includes its archive source, credit, and available date information. Users can open the original archive record directly from the app to continue their research and explore further.
