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“Somewhere on Google Maps” in Austin

The “somewhere on Google Maps” trend is running rampant on social platforms — let’s try it out in the Capital City.

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Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s June of 2009, and the Austin Motel is celebrating 71 years in business.

Photo via Google Maps

If you’re like us, the “somewhere on Google Maps” trend has taken over your social media feeds.

Here’s how it works: folks search their home address to find special memories captured by Google over time, like their grandfather mowing the lawn, childhood pets in the driveway, or even themselves playing outside.

It got us thinking — what moments in Austin have been memorialized by Google Maps? Here’s what we found.

Jo’s Coffee sans “I love you so much” mural

Jo's Coffee on South Congress Avenue in 2009. The green building has a red stripe, but is missing the iconic "I love you so much mural." Above it, an alcoholic beverage is being advertised on a billboard. Someone jaywalks across the street, which is lined with cars, trucks, and trees.

Far less tourists were stopping for a photo at Jo’s Coffee in June of 2009.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2009 and local musician Amy Cook hadn’t yet written the iconic declaration of love on the wall to her then-girlfriend and the building owner, Liz Lambert.

El Arroyo, circa Robin Thicke craze

El Arroyo at West 5th Street in Austin on a sunny day. The sign at El Arroyo reads "No blurred lines here, we know you want it." Palm trees and grassy shrubs flank the building, which is dimmly lit by the sun.

Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke’s mashup of “Blurred Lines” and “We Can’t Stop” at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards took the world by storm.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2013 and “Blurred Lines” by Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke is the song of the summer. Naturally, El Arroyo chimed in.

Shady Grove is busy on a spring day

A rustic, stone building surrounded by trees and green grass with an American flag in the ground. Attached to the restaurant, a patio flanked in stone walls is full of people wearing colorful clothes who sit at dining tables.

We’d do anything to be on the Shady Grove patio in April of 2009.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2009 and the patio of now-closed restaurant Shady Grove on Barton Springs Road is filled with diners enjoying the food + weather.

6th Street is in its SXSW 2011 era

6th Street in Austin, Texas in March of 2011. Cars and vans are visible on the street while pedestrians walk on the sidewalk. Buildings include a bar called Logan's, which is decked in green signage. Pedestrians wear SXSW badges.

Folks were still donning their badges, backpacks, and tote bags to trek through the city for SXSW in March of 2011.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2011 and the city is bustling with SXSW festivalgoers. Pedestrians walk in front of the now-closed bar Logan’s on 6th.

Zilker Park is prepping for ACL 2014

A road full of trucks and vans. In the background, ACL Festival signs are being set up and a blue crane is suspended into the blue sky. A guitar-shaped, neon sign reads "ACL" and other posters read "2014."

Lana Del Ray, Lorde, Calvin Harris, and Foster the People were performers at ACL 2014.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2014 and crews are setting up for ACL Festival at Zilker Park. Eminem, Pearl Jam, OutKast, and Skrillex are the headliners, while artists like Sam Smith and Hozier are in smaller print on the lineup poster.

Rainey Street is almost unrecognizable

A white home with a white picket fence in front and colorful chairs on the porch. In the background, multiple white homes sit beside it. Cars are on the street, and some trees have green leaves while others have barren branches.

These homes on Rainey Street, located across from a bar called Clive, have been replaced with apartment buildings.

Photo via Google Maps

Somewhere on Google Maps... it’s 2011 and Rainey Street is a residential area. Locals live within walking distance of a few watering holes while still enjoying a cozy neighborhood feel in proximity to Downtown.

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