What was there before? I...don't...know

Living in Charlotte you can't help but notice how buildings are constantly being knocked down and replaced by another building that is larger and more expensive. Sometimes, though, when a building is cleared out and all that is left is dirt and bulldozers I can't remember what was there before. Was there a house? A convenience store? A stand of trees? Hell if I can remember. Sometimes it bugs me that I can't recall what was there before until I see a spot that has been demolished and I remember distinctly what was destroyed. It's then that I remember that I live in a big city and I'm not half-retarted.