Ray's Flowers After Hurricane Hugo - 1989 - Lancaster SC Photos

Ray's Flowers' windows are seen blown out after Hurricane Hugo's destruction on Main Street in Sept. of 1989. (The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive) 

Charlie Duke On Hyatt Cinema Marquee - 1972 - Lancaster SC Photos

The marquee at Hyatt Cinema reads "Welcome Home Charlie. The Godfather. Marlon Brando." 

Nearly 20,000 people gathered to celebrate their hometown hero, Charlie Duke on May 26, 1972. 

Hundreds of military and high school band members, beauty queens, floats and state and national dignitaries were on Main St. that day. 

(Photo by Dave Yarborough via The Lancaster Archive) 

Charlie Duke Day Parade - 1972 - Lancaster SC Photos

53 years ago today, nearly 20,000 people gathered to celebrate their hometown hero with a parade for astronaut Charlie Duke. The Lancaster native had just walked on the moon a month earlier as a part of Apollo 16.

Mayor Reece Funderburk declared May 26, 1972 "Charlie Duke Day". Hundreds of military and high school band members, beauty queens, floats and state and national dignitaries were on Main St. that day.

To the left of Duke is his wife Dotty, who is looking down at one of their sons. 

(Photo by Dave Yarborough via The Lancaster Archive)

Mrs. Billings' Central School Class - 1953 - Lancaster SC Photos

Mrs. Billings' class poses for a photo at Central School in May of 1953. 

See below for cropped photos, making it easier to see faces. 

(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

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Miss Lancaster Pageant - 1962 - Lancaster SC Photos

The Miss Lancaster Pageant is seen in April of 1962. 

Pictured are Sandra Hegler, Dianne Love, and Cecelia Yoder.

(Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

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May Day Celebration - 1950 - Lancaster SC Photos

With that crowd, this classic image looks like it could have been made at a Major League Baseball game, but it's definitely Lancaster. 

Hundreds pack the seats at the former Lancaster High School stadium in May of 1950 for the annual May Day celebration. 

This field was located near the intersection of Wylie and York streets where the Wylie Street Pool is today. 

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

(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive) 

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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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)

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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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