S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell speaks during a press conference in Lancaster in the fall of 1989.
Welcome to The Lancaster Archive, a preservation website featuring historic Lancaster SC photos from 5 photographers spanning 7 decades. Scroll down to begin viewing the latest photos, click on the keywords to view by subject or use the search box below to find images. The Lancaster Archive is a division of Columbia SC Photographer Travis Bell / Creative, LLC.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Gov Campbell Visits Lancaster After Hurricane Hugo - 1989- Lancaster SC Photos
S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell speaks during a press conference in Lancaster in the fall of 1989.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Shriners Parade - 1952 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster Shriners head down Main St. in front of The Springs Block during their parade in August of 1952.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Shriners Perform Before Parade - 1952 - Lancaster SC Photos
Shriners perform in front of the Lancaster County Courthouse before their parade in August of 1952.
Across the street where a car is seen in an open garage is where the Lancaster County building sits today.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Shriners at The Ellen Dean Hotel - 1952 - Lancaster SC Photos
Shriners from Lancaster and around the state gather at The Ellen Dean Hotel before their parade in August of 1952. The group headed to Springs Park for a family picnic after the parade.
The Ellen Dean, located at 137 N White St., was constructed in 1941 and in addition to its hotel rooms, had retail stores on the ground level and an event space in the basement.
Many Lancaster servicemen who married before departing to fight in WW2 spent their honeymoon night at The Ellen Dean.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
This historic image was made possible by:
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Swim Team Victory - 1980s - Lancaster SC Photos
The Lancaster Swim Team celebrates a meet championship in the late 1980s. Holding the trophy is Roxanne Catoe.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
First Baptist Children's Choir - 1953
The First Baptist children's choir poses for a group portrait in August of 1953. (Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Church Youth Groups Event - Part 2 of 2 - 1983 - Lancaster SC Photos
Local church youth groups pose for a portrait during an event at North Elementary in 1983.
The group was known as United Youth Ministries and would gather for devotion time, volleyball and basketball games.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
Here's the full view.
Monday, May 27, 2024
Carowinds First Summer - 1973
The steamboat, monorail and main entrance are seen at Carowinds in the summer of 1973.
The park first opened in March of '73.
Several rides that were part of opening day still operate today, including the skytower, which can be seen at left.
(Photo by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Side Porch Restaurant - 1980s - Lancaster SC Photos
The Side Porch restaurant is seen in the 1980s at 308 Dunlap Street.
The popular lunch spot was also a catering business.
The house still stands today, located near Discovery School, formerly known as Central School.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Church Youth Groups Event - Part 1 of 2 - 1983 - Lancaster SC Photos
Local church youth groups pose for a portrait during an event at a local school in 1983. (Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Red Cross Swimming Instructors - 1958 - Lancaster SC Photos
Red Cross instructors and swimmers pose for a group photo at the Lancaster city pool on June 16, 1958.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
This classic photograph was made possible by:
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Marion Sims Staff - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Marion Sims Hospital staff poses for a group portrait in December of 1959. (Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Ben Hogan at Lancaster Golf Club - 1950s - Lancaster SC Photos
The PGA Tour is in South Carolina this week!
Michael Jordan isn't the only famous athlete to have played golf in Lancaster. In the 1950s, legendary golfer Ben Hogan stopped by the Lancaster Golf Club.
Here, Hogan teaches a putting technique as golfers and others look on.
The Hall of Famer won The Masters twice and also took first at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open Championship.
He is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. (Photo by Lavoy Bauknight via The Lancaster Archive)
This image was made possible by:
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Lancaster Native Julie Roberts - 20 Years Ago
20 Years Ago, Lancaster native Julie Roberts' song, "Break Down Here" was climbing the Billboard Country Charts.
The ballad was the first song released from her debut album Julie Roberts.
The song peaked at No. 18 and the album produced three singles. Roberts will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of her album with a concert in Nashville at Chiefs on Broadway on May 25.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Liberty Bell on Main Street - 1950 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Liberty Bell rings out on Main St. in 1950 as children and teens cover their ears.
The bell was a replica given to South Carolina by the U.S. government and now sits on the statehouse grounds in Columbia. The event seen here was part of a national campaign promoting U.S. Savings Bonds.
This image is looking south on Main and the Coca-Cola sign at left is near the intersection of Arch and Main streets.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Belk's Swimwear Fashion Show - 1956 - Lancaster SC Photos
Models show off the latest Jantzen swimwear during a Belk's fashion show at Lancaster High School on April 4, 1956.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Friday, March 1, 2024
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Miss Lancaster Crowned By Miss America - 1965 - Lancaster SC Photos
Miss America Vonda Kay Van Dyke crowns Miss Lancaster, Linda Culp, during the Miss Lancaster pageant in 1965.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
This image was made possible by:
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Students Visit The Lancaster News - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Tri-County Beauty Queens - 1968 - Lancaster SC Photos
Miss Lancaster Caroline Collins, Miss Great Falls Patti Williams Wishert, Miss Chester, Miss Rock Hill and Miss Fort Mill pose for a portrait in 1968.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)


























