You may be better off tracking down air photos, not satellite images. Local and state governments often take air photos every couple of years for planning purposes - check with the planning office. The records office may have various plats that show the changes. These should be available as stereo pairs, so you can get a better handle on topography.

The USGS often takes air photos every couple of years in some areas, check their web site to see if they have any info. There may be an office in Reston VA that may carry those photos. NOAA might have what you are looking for.

Try the national map viewerfrom the USGS, sometimes they have different generations of air photos. Use the menu on the right under Orthoimagery.

The Space Imaging websitehad some shots of NY before and after 911.

The new Microsoft viewer has great air photos of New York.

Good luck.