Before they were featured on postcards and added to bucket lists, the world’s most famous landmarks started out like most other projects: Buried under a mountain of blueprints and permits, scaffolding, and a whole lot of elbow grease. From cranes perched above cathedrals to steel beams dangling over empty skylines, seeing them mid-construction is like catching a peak behind the curtain. Whether you’re a history buff or just love a good time-capsule moment, we’ve rounded up 10 old photos that show some of the world’s most famous landmarks under construction.
1. The Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
When construction began in 1887, many Parisians thought the landmark was an eyesore (imagine calling the Eiffel Tower ugly). Workers assembled 18,000 iron parts with over 2.5 million rivets, braving heights in a pre-safety harness era. Designed by Gustave Eiffel’s engineering firm for the 1889 World’s Fair, the tower was meant to stand for only 20 years. But fast forward to today, and the Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world. We’d say the investment definitely paid off.
2. Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia)
This architectural marvel almost didn’t happen. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it broke ground in 1959 and ran ten years over schedule. Its soaring white sails were unlike anything built before and sparked intense controversy during construction. Now, it’s the crown jewel of Sydney’s skyline, drawing in more than 10 million visitors every year.
3. Mount Rushmore (South Dakota, US)
Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota between 1927 and 1941, Mount Rushmore honors four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Though the original vision and plan was far more ambitious (sculptor and designer Gutzon Borglum wanted full-body statues), budget and time constraints left only heads.
5. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, US)
Though construction started in 1933 during the Great Depression, the project was actually finished ahead of schedule in 1937. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Painted in “international orange” for visibility through foggy weather, the bridge quickly became a symbol of American engineering. Today, it remains an iconic California landmark.
Fun fact: Workers navigated harsh winds, tides, and heights during construction, with a safety net saving the lives of 19 men.
6. London’s Tower Bridge (London, UK)
Opened to the public in 1894, London’s Tower Bridge was built to ease congestion without disrupting river traffic. Using a bascule (drawbridge) technique coupled with suspension, the technology was seen as cutting-edge for its time. Designed in the Gothic-revival style to match the nearby Tower of London, the bridge took a total of eight years to build starting in 1886.
7. Sagrada Família (Barcelona, Spain)
Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished Gothic masterpiece has been under construction since 1882. And get this: It still isn’t finished. Gaudí took over in 1883 and devoted the rest of his life to it. Today, the church is funded entirely by donations and ticket sales, with each phase incorporating new technology and craftsmanship. Completion is currently projected for late 2026.
8. Empire State Building (New York City, US)
Built in just over a year during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building rose at record speed, to the tune of four and a half stories a week. Fully completed in 1931, it stood as the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years. The building’s spire was even designed with the idea of docking airships (which, thankfully, never happened, because can you imagine the chaos).
9. Hoover Dam (Nevada/Arizona, US)
Built between 1931 and 1936, the Hoover Dam tamed the Colorado River in hopes of bringing power and water to undeveloped parts of the American Southwest. Built under grueling conditions and sweltering heat, the project employed over 21,000 men. The dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S. At its peak, it was the largest concrete structure in the world.
10. The Statue of Liberty (New York City, US)
Before she could be seen adorning New York City’s skyline, Lady Liberty was assembled piece by piece in Paris. A gift from France, the statue was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built with the help of Gustave Eiffel, who engineered her internal iron framework. Shipped across the Atlantic in 350 individual pieces and reassembled on Liberty Island in 1886, she quickly became a symbol of hope and freedom for immigrants in search of a better life.
Interested in more stories about architecture?
Don’t miss Weird, Wonderful, and Real: 14 Bizarre Buildings That Actually Exist, which showcases unique programmatic architecture. You might also find These 17 Photos Show Why Route 66 Is America’s Most Famous Road and 16 Historical Photos of World’s Fairs an interesting read.
The post 10 Photos of Famous Landmarks as They Were Being Built appeared first on Wealth Gang.
