Kalamazoo Takes the ‘How Hard Did Aging Hit You’ Facebook Challenge

Thanks to Facebook's latest challenge, we've seen how all of us have changed- or not in the last decade. What about our city? Take a look as we compare Kalamazoo circa 2009 to today.

Since the city can't take a selfie, we relied on the internet archives of Google street view to take a look at how Kalamazoo has changed over the last 10 years. Google street view is the fascinating technology that powers our satellite navigation.

Here's how it works: If you want to see you childhood home, go to Google Maps. Type in the address, then drag and drop the little yellow guy into the street. Take a look at the box in the upper left corner of the screen. If it has a clock, you can turn back time and see other years Google was in your old neighborhood. To keep it updated, the Google car is constantly driving somewhere and can be seen cruising the streets of Kalamazoo every couple of years. (If you see it, be sure to smile, you're going to be on the internet.)

The most obvious changes to Kalamazoo is intersection of W. Michigan and Rose, where the Exchange Building is going up. Seen here in 2012 and 2017, the difference is even more pronounced today.

You may have heard about a few renovations at Bronson Park, seen here ten years apart in 2007 and 2017.

A lot has changed on S. Westnedge. Remember K-Mart (2009) where Dick's is now (2017)?

Sure, I hear chicken with a pickle is pretty good but I still miss Bilbo's.

Now you see it, now you don't Kalamazoo Gazette building 10 years apart- 2007 and 2017.

A decade ago, 'The Corner' at Drake and Stadium use to be just a corner.

Some things change, but some things remain the same 10 years later or longer. You're looking good, Kalamazoo!