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LocoPast

LocoPast is a location-based history app that maps geotagged Wikipedia stories to real-world streets and landmarks. It runs on iOS, Android and web, with free registration and a paid mobile app.

LocoPast

Location-based history, mapped to place

LocoPast is a location-based history app that maps Wikipedia’s geotagged stories to the streets, buildings and landmarks where they happened. It is designed for people who want to explore history from the place itself rather than from a timeline or textbook.

You can use it on iOS, Android or in a browser. The web version is free, while the mobile app is a one-time purchase of $4.99; registration is free and lets you save stories across devices.

Core features

Location-based history map

View historical stories as pins on an interactive map tied to the streets where they happened. Each pin links to a Wikipedia article and is ranked by significance.

Live area scanning

Use GPS to reveal what happened around you, or search any place worldwide if you are not standing there in person. The map rescans as you pan and zoom.

Topic filtering

Focus the map with nine topic filters covering battles, art, politics, architecture, science, faith, crime, disasters and industry.

Save and sync stories

Open story cards with Wikipedia links, then save favourites with a free account. Saved stories can sync across phone, tablet, laptop and desktop browser.

Shareable locations and PWA access

Generate a shareable link for any spot so someone else can open the same map view. The site also says the browser experience can be installed as a PWA on phone or desktop.

Ways people use LocoPast

  • Exploring a new city

    Travelers can open a city or landmark and see nearby stories before or during a visit, which helps turn a walk, museum stop or hotel area into a history-focused route.

  • Finding history at home

    Walkers and local residents can scan their neighbourhood for battles, fires, artists, inventions and other events tied to familiar streets they pass every day.

  • Classroom and study use

    Teachers and students can use the map to connect textbook topics with real locations, making events like Roman history, civil rights or city heritage easier to place geographically.

  • Researching and collecting stories

    Anyone can search for a place anywhere in the world, then filter by topic or save notable stories to revisit later on another device.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Works on iOS, Android and web.
  • Free to register, with save-and-sync features across devices.
  • Maps stories to exact locations instead of showing them in a separate list or timeline.
  • Provides topic filters, search, and story links for more focused exploration.
  • Supports sharing a specific location view with a link.

Cons

  • The mobile app is paid, even though the web version is free.
  • The history shown depends on where Wikipedia has geotagged articles, so coverage may vary by location.
  • Some features such as saving stories require a free account.

FAQ

Can I use LocoPast without installing the app?

Yes. You can explore LocoPast in any modern browser at locopast.com without downloading the mobile app. The web version is free, and registration is free if you want to save stories across devices.

How does pricing work for the mobile app?

The mobile app is a one-time purchase of $4.99 on the App Store or Google Play in the US. The site notes that Apple and Google may show a localized equivalent price in your country, and the app does not use a subscription model.

How do you find history in LocoPast?

The app lets you reveal history near your current location or search for any street, town, or landmark worldwide. You can also jump directly to popular places from the welcome screen.

Do I need an account to save stories?

Yes. Free accounts let you save stories and sync them across devices. The site says registration is always free.

Where does the history data come from?

LocoPast uses geotagged Wikipedia articles, ranked and categorized by topic and significance, and the map works wherever Wikipedia has geotagged coverage. The site also says saved stories can sync when you sign in.

Quick Facts

Category
Location-based history app
Platforms
iOS, Android, web browser
Pricing model
Free on the web; mobile app is a one-time purchase
Mobile price
$4.99 in the US, with localized store pricing
Account
Free registration
Data source
Wikipedia geotagged articles