Wouldn't it be fun to be able to do some time travel? Maybe go back to a time before you were born. It would be a chance to see what life was like in a more simpler time. What did the city look like back then? We have a few answers thanks to a video posted to YouTube.

The Grand Rapids Amateur Movie Club produced a video back in 1946 called "Grand Rapids Michigan - A Good Place to Live". In the film you can see several Grand Rapids landmarks. Let's take a trip back over 75 years ago and see how things have changed.

This is the old Grand Rapids Airport. It was located near what is now Roger B. Chafee Drive and 44th Street.

Former Grand Rapids Airport
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

A look down Lake Michigan Drive into downtown Grand Rapids -- before the I-196 Expressway was constructed. John Ball Park is on the right..

Lake Michigan Drive
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The Grand Rapids skyline in 1946. McKay Tower is on the far left...

Grand Rapids Skyline in 19464
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

A shot of downtown Grand Rapids, looking to the west from what today is Monroe Center and Division Avenue. The Grand Rapids Police Department now sits on the corner in the far left of the photo...

Downtown Grand Rapids 1946
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The old Grand Rapids City Hall that was torn down in the late 60s...

Old Grand Rapids City Hall
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The City Water and Light Building that is still located on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Coldbrook Street NW...

City Water and Light Building
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The old Grand Rapids Public Museum, located on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and State Street SE...

Old Grand Rapids Public Museum
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The front of Butterworth Hospital back in 1946...

Butterworth Hospital in 1946
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

The old swimming pool located at Lincoln Park on the city's northwest side...

Lincoln Park Pool
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

A car leaving Johnson Park on Wilson Avenue and Butterworth Street SW...

Johnson Park 1946
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

Back in the 40s there was an amusement park in East Grand Rapids called Ramona Park...

Ramona Park in East Grand Rapids
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids was a popular spot for sailboats and there was even a boat that let people cruise the lake...

Cruising Reeds Lake in 1946
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

Even back in 1946, people would head to the Fulton Street Farmers Market, which is still located in the same place...on Fulton Street near Fuller Avenue NE.

Fulton Street Farmer's Market
Photo: kgbird1949 via YouTube
loading...

 

The entire film is just over 26 minutes long, but it is a great look back at the City of Grand Rapids in all its glory back in 1946...

\

98.7 The Grand logo
Get our free mobile app

 

ABC's of Grand Rapids

Here is an interesting, alphabetical look at the people and places that played a part in Grand Rapids history.

More From 98.7 The Grand