Yes, there was. The Internet was most interesting from 1999-2005, there were plenty of good searchable websites from private individuals or universities.

Literally the only site that is better now than back then is YouTube with an ad-blocker.

Everything else has deteriorated: Google (search) is worse, Ebay is worse, Amazon is worse, banking sites are worse.

Heck, even Java stock tickers from 2000 were better than now.

The art of presenting information in a meaningful way has been lost entirely.