Many of the celebrated images on The Lancaster Archive were created by Lavoy Bauknight (1920-1995), who operated Lavoy Studio from 1947 to 1988. The Lancaster native graduated from LHS and later from Wofford.
Here, in the 1960s, Lavoy poses beside his airplane while holding his massive, 4x5 professional camera, which produced film negatives over three times the size of 35mm format. The result was a higher-quality image compared to 35mm.
Early in his career, after several flights with a pilot who couldn't get Bauknight the exact angle he wanted, Lavoy got his own plane and pilot's license. This allowed him to get the perfect angle in flight. He would get the aircraft in position, lift the window, which would stay up on its own thanks to the wind, then aim his 4x5 camera to get the shot.
He was considered by many to be ahead of his time, as evidenced by his breathtaking aerials of Lancaster and nighttime images of Main Street.
He was the first photographer in Lancaster to place multiple, full-size studio lights on Main St. during Christmas parades, producing beautifully lit images of the floats at night.
When he was not in an airplane, he could still be found high above, usually in the bucket of a fire truck or on top of a building, making pictures of downtown Lancaster.
He operated a retail camera shop and studio on The Springs Block for years and later moved to a location near Twin Pines on North Main St.
As a member and president of The Professional Photographers of America's SC Chapter, he won dozens of awards at the group's annual Columbia meeting and inspired photographers statewide with his dramatic, panoramic pictures of Lancaster's Main Street.
This image was made possible by:
Tom Mangum represented Lancaster in the S.C. House of Representatives.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
First Baptist's Girls' Auxiliary poses for a group shot in 1957 following a coronation ceremony. Girls' Auxillary began in 1913, changing its name to Girls in Action in 1970. (Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Photographer Lavoy Bauknight didn't let close, busy traffic stop him from positioning his tripod right in the middle of the street to capture this amazing, black and white photograph. Bauknight used a slow shutter speed on his 4x5 Speed Graphic camera to give the image motion.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from The Lancaster Archive!
Here, construction around the bridge near North Main and Woodland Drive is seen, looking north.
As a reference, just up the hill where several cars and a truck are seen on the right is the present day entrance to Lancaster Square. Over to the left looking past the crane is the Arby's location.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Deadline to apply: November 10
The north endzone student section can be seen at the left of the image under the scoreboard. The Gamecocks beat the Vols 24-23 that day. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA via The Lancaster Archive)
The clip shows her before a play at North Elementary in the mid 1980s as she was waiting to direct her students into the gym.
Adrienne taught in the Lancaster School District for 19 years. Her daughters, Heather and Ashley, both live in South Carolina today. There is sound with this video. (Clip by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
It features a locomotive-led train that makes a 3-mile loop around the park.
Celebrity cowboy Fred Kirby was an icon at Tweetsie for decades.
The park features live shows, a zoo and amusement rides.
Fall and winter events are coming up at Tweetsie. Check the park's website for details.
(Photo by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Here, members of the state championship team are seen in December of 1959 in Lancaster. They had just beaten Winyah in Georgetown days earlier for the state title.
At top left is coaching legend Wade Corn. Corn led the team to 11 wins, including 4 shutouts. LHS averaged almost 14 points per game while their opponents averaged only 5.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
This classic photograph was made possible by Janice Mathis State Farm
LHS, known then as the Blue Hurricanes, went on to win the state championship that year, beating Winyah High School.
Corn played on Wofford's undefeated 1949 team. Lavoy Bauknight, who made this photograph, also attended Wofford.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Goldsmith and The Blue Hurricanes beat Byrnes in the playoffs the next week and went on to defeat Winyah for the state championship.
LHS only lost one game that season and averaged almost 14 points per game while their opponents averaged only 5. Four opponents never scored a point against The Hurricanes that year.
LHS was coached by Wade Corn and their mascot later became The Bruins. This field was located near the present day Wylie St. Pool.
(Photo by Lavoy Baunknight via The Lancaster Archive)
(Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
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