USC Lancaster
THE LANCASTER ARCHIVE
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.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Thank You For 10 Years!
Friday, April 11, 2025
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)
This image was made possible by:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
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)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
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.
(Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
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)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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.
(Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Santa at Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1960 - Lancaster SC Photos
Santa rides north on Main St. during the Lancaster Christmas parade in 1960.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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:
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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)
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
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.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
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.
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)