IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Holding up history: JFK assassination then and now

Dallas police officer points to the seat at the Texas Theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was sitting on Nov. 22, when police entered to arrest him, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.
Dallas police officer points to the seat at the Texas Theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was sitting on Nov. 22, when police entered to arrest him, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
People line Travis Street near Rusk Street to see President John F Kennedy's motorcade during a visit to Houston, Nov. 21, 1963.
People line Travis Street near Rusk Street to see President John F Kennedy's motorcade during a visit to Houston, Nov. 21, 1963.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
Spectators lie on the ground in Dealey Plaza as a motorcycle police officer drives by immediately after the shooting of John F Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed outside of the current day Elm Street, in Dallas.
Spectators lie on the ground in Dealey Plaza as a motorcycle police officer drives by immediately after the shooting of John F Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed outside of the current day Elm Street, in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

Scenes from Dallas related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy are seared into the memories of people around the world — Dealey Plaza, the Texas Book Depository, the "grassy knoll," the corridor of the city police headquarters where Lee Harvey Oswald met his end.

Several of those locations look very similar today, despite the passage of time. Others have changed markedly.

Here's a compilation of "then-and-now" photographs created by the Houston Chronicle's Cody Duty that juxtapose archival photos — many from The Associated Press — with current images.

"I wanted to take the viewer on a history lesson," Duty says, as well as a visual tour of the slaying and its aftermath.

Jackie Kennedy and Secret Service agent Clint Hill climb on the back of the limousine after John F. Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed with the current scene in Dallas.
Jackie Kennedy and Secret Service agent Clint Hill climb on the back of the limousine after John F. Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed with the current scene in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
Detectives guard the front entrance to the Texas School Book Depository building less than an hour after the assassination of John F Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.
Detectives guard the front entrance to the Texas School Book Depository building less than an hour after the assassination of John F Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
This photo shows the scene where Lee Harvey Oswald shot Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas. The decorated, 11-year veteran police officer was, according to two federal government investigations, shot and killed by Oswald.
This photo shows the scene where Lee Harvey Oswald shot Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas. The decorated, 11-year veteran police officer was, according to two federal government investigations, shot and killed by Oswald.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
Dallas police officer points to the seat at the Texas Theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was sitting on Nov. 22, when police entered to arrest him, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.
Dallas police officer points to the seat at the Texas Theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was sitting on Nov. 22, when police entered to arrest him, juxtaposed against the current scene in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle
Lee Harvey Oswald, assassin of President John F. Kennedy, reacts as Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby, foreground, and shoots at him from point blank range in a corridor of Dallas Police Headquarters, juxtaposed with the current scene at the Dallas Police Headquarters, in Dallas.
Lee Harvey Oswald, assassin of President John F. Kennedy, reacts as Dallas night club owner Jack Ruby, foreground, and shoots at him from point blank range in a corridor of Dallas Police Headquarters, juxtaposed with the current scene at the Dallas Police Headquarters, in Dallas.Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle