Before Google Earth or Drones -Aerial of I-64 Corridor by Terr Johnson via Helicopter

That’s right. There was a time, not so very long ago, before Google Earth or drones were even a thing. So, in the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) world, that meant finding other means for getting aerial  imagery to better present Land for sale, development, or otherwise.

Aerial photography prior to drones was mostly done by means of someone flying in an aircraft and taking pictures. Hiring an aerial photographer was one way to do this.

Another way would be to hire a helicopter service and take the photos yourself (Terry Johnson).

Paper map. Hand-written pin-points and notes.

Duct tape wrapped securely around the lever of the seat belt latch.

Arrive at point of reference.

Ask pilot to adjust for perspective, if needed.

Open door for a nice clean view.

Click.

Then you go get your film developed into 8″ x 10″ prints and hope you captured what you were aiming for.

And voila.

Aerial of Developing I-64 by Terry Johnson via Helicopter
Aerial of Developing I-64 / Green Mount Rd Interchange – O’Fallon/Shiloh, IL, by Terry Johnson via Helicopter

There is another whole layer to the processing for marketing, but that’s for another story.

 

And in case you are interested, here is the area via Google Earth Pro Historic Imagery, then and now:

Google Earth 2003 Image of I-64 Corridor OFallon_Shiloh IL - Green Mount Rd
Google Earth 2003 Image of I-64 Corridor O’Fallon_Shiloh IL – Green Mount Rd (Pin Points mark current developments as point of reference.)

 

Google Earth 2018 Image of I-64 Corridor OFallon_Shiloh IL - Green Mount Rd
Google Earth 2018 Image of I-64 Corridor O’Fallon_Shiloh IL – Green Mount Rd