Thank You For 10 Years!

10 Years ago today, I launched The Lancaster Archive website, where hundreds of classic film images have been digitized and shared from 5 photographers, spanning 7 decades of Lancaster’s visual history.

For years, many collections from those photographers sat in dreadful conditions in outdoor storage sheds and humidity-filled closets. One collection was sitting in a puddle of water in a basement.

The Archive was born from an idea that thousands of photos from Lancaster County’s history could be saved and brought to life for everyone to enjoy.

Being able to share these images on our website and social media has been the best part of this project. Many photographs have inspired couples and families who moved away from Lancaster to return to their hometown and reconnect with friends they hadn’t seen in years.

After seeing an image from the collection of the restaurant where they met, one couple from Spartanburg brought their daughters to Lancaster to show them the town where they fell in love.

Dozens of viewers have told us they discovered things about their grandparents and great grandparents that they never knew after seeing them in a classic photograph. One granddaughter had no idea her grandmother played basketball for LHS in the 1950s.

As Charlotte grows towards Lancaster, developers are already using many of the historic images released by The Archive to inspire their vision for how downtown will look in the future.

I want to send out a genuine, massive THANK YOU to all the sponsors who have made The Lancaster Archive possible! Archiving, Digitizing, Restoring and Sharing the collection takes resources and it would not be a success without our sponsors. (See the full list below)

Also, much gratitude to everyone who has ever liked, commented or shared an image. Keep on sharing the memories!

A special thanks to my father, Bobby, who passed away 26 years ago, for teaching me to appreciate my hometown’s history and the people in our communities who help raise, educate and inspire us.

The Lancaster Archive continues on! In fact, there are more film collections in Lancaster County that I am actively pursuing so that we can share those photographs with our viewers. Hopefully, they'll be out of the dark and into the light soon!

-Travis Bell

Thank you Sponsors!

Blackmon Insurance Group

Catawba Fish Camp

Comporium

Founders Credit Union

Hess Financial Planning

Hyatt Law

Janice Mathis State Farm

Kilburnie the Inn at Craig Farm

Lancaster County Historical Commission

Lancaster Funeral Home

The Lancaster News

Nutramax

See Lancaster

Shops on Main

USC Lancaster 

Girls Scout Brownies - 1961 - Lancaster SC Photos

Lancaster Girl Scout Brownies pose for a group photo in October of 1961. (Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

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This image was made possible by:

Davis Cleaners - 1962 - Lancaster SC Photos

Davis Cleaners is seen on March 27, 1962 at the intersection of Gay and Catawba streets. 

Dry cleaning with fast turnaround exploded during the economic boom of the 1950s. 

(Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

Golf Lessons at Driving Range - 1958 - Lancaster SC Photos

Lancaster boys get golf lessons at a driving range located behind the current day Christian Services Family Thrift Store building on Great Falls Highway in 1958. 

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(Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

Cooper Furniture Store - 1958 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

Cooper Furniture Store is seen at its South Main Street location in July of 1958. (Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

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Little League Baseball All Stars - 1958 - Lancaster SC Photos

The Lancaster Rotary All Star little league baseball team poses for a group portrait in July of 1958. 

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(Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

From Lancaster County

 

Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos

The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce float heads north on Main Street during the 1955 Christmas Parade. 

This image was created by Lavoy Bauknight, whose photography studio can be seen across the street. 

At right is City Drug, a pharmacy that attracted many customers who craved a grilled sandwich and fountain drink. 

The intersection of Main and Arch streets is just out of the picture to the right, past the B.C. Moore sign. 

We're not sure what's going on at the bottom of the photograph. Maybe the boy is getting fussed at for running out into the street too much to get candy! 

See below for a cropped version, making it easier to see more details. 

Santa at Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1960 - Lancaster SC Photos

Santa rides north on Main St. during the Lancaster Christmas parade in 1960. 

This photograph was made at the intersection of Main and Arch streets. 

The former post office building can be seen behind the crowd.

(Photo by Lavoy Bauknight via The Lancaster Archive) 

Below are cropped versions, making it easier to see more details. 

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Parr Theater Lobby - 1958 - Lancaster SC Photos

There was nothing like popcorn and a Coke at Parr Theater in 1958. And look at all that candy! We had no idea that originally, there were three candy bars in a 3 Musketeers. 

Parr Theater was owned by George Parr and entertained movie goers with news clips, full-feature films and serials. 

(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

This image was made possible by:

Main Street Damage From Hurricane Hugo - 1989 - Lancaster SC Photos

Awning, roofing and glass are seen on Main Street after Hurricane Hugo's destruction in September of 1989. 

The tropical cyclone reached Category 5 status, striking the South Carolina coast and moving inland towards Charlotte. 

Thousands of Lancaster County residents went without power for days and some for weeks. (Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)

Fred Kirby and Aaron Robinson in Washington DC - 1958

Just two Carolina boys, hanging out in D.C. 

Legendary recording artist, tv personality and cowboy Fred Kirby enjoys a baseball game in Washington D.C. with Lancaster native and Major League baseball player Aaron Robinson in June of 1958 at Griffith Stadium. The two were taking in a Washington Senators baseball game. 

Kirby, born in Charlotte, was known for his songs that he recorded for RCA in the 1930s and 40s. He was popular in The Carolinas with his show that aired on WBTV Charlotte for years. He was also seen often at Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock. Many Carolinians may have seen him in their hometown parade. 

Robinson played for the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and White Sox from 1943 - 1951. He batted .297 and hit 16 home runs in 1946. His batting average that year was higher than teammate Joe DiMaggio's. He left the Yankees in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard during WW2 and returned to the Yankees after war ended in 1945.

In 1947 he helped the Yankees win The World Series. 

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The Southern 500 in Darlington - Gunsmoke actor James Arness - 1958

On September 1, 1958, Lancaster photographer Lavoy Bauknight photographed NASCAR's Southern 500 race in Darlington. At left, standing in the convertible is actor James Arness, who starred as Matt Dillon on the hit television series, Gunsmoke. 

Fireball Roberts took the checkered flag that day with Buck Baker, who visited Lancaster in 1957, finishing second. Roberts' name can be seen on his car at right. 

See below for cropped versions. 

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. 

Campbell visited Lancaster to view Hurricane Hugo damage and meet with local officials about financial aid for recovery. 

Hurricane Hugo stormed is way through Lancaster in Sept. of 1989, leaving destruction like no one had ever seen before. Residents went weeks without power. 

From left, is Red Hinson, Joe Shaw and Bob Mobley. 

(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive) 

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. 

The group and their families headed to Springs Park for a picnic with Col. Springs after the parade.

See below for cropped versions, making it easier to see more details. 

(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

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) 

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. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

This historic image was made possible by:

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)

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