Above: The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and the site's previous buildings. 
Image: Travis Dewitz Photography

Local photographer, Travis Dewitz, has put his talent to good use by representing a variety of Eau Claire’s history through a fantastic photo set found on his blog.

You might remember Dewitz from his fantastic photo essay of Eau Claire’s aging Fire Station 10. In this new series, dubbed Eau Claire, Wisconsin Past & Present, Dewitz has mixed historical photos of Eau Claire with current images he took himself, painstakingly recreating the vantage points and camera angles.

The historical significance of accurately representing the many changes of Eau Claire’s landscape and landmarks is one to be shown off. Photos include locations such as L.E. Phillips Public Library, the “Lumber Mill,” and popular downtown streets – in photosets that fade the past images into their current standings. With the series – a combined effort with the Chippewa Valley Museum – Dewitz has been able to effectively commemorate Eau Claire’s history.