THE LANCASTER ARCHIVE
Welcome to The Lancaster Archive, a preservation website featuring historic Lancaster SC photos from 5 photographers spanning over 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.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Lancaster Feed and Farm Storefront - 1963 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster Feed and Farm is seen on Market St. in 1963. The popular store sold plants, outdoor playground equipment, lawn mowers, sporting goods and more. This location is not far from the American Legion baseball field, which would be to the left of this building. (Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Lancaster Feed & Farm
The sales floor at Lancaster Feed and Farm is seen in 1963. The popular hardware store sold everything from tools to baseball gloves and more.
The business, which was always busy on Saturday mornings, was located on Market St., not far from the Lancaster County Fairgrounds.
(Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Donate To The Lancaster Archive
Will you consider a donation to The Lancaster Archive? Choose from the amounts below or enter a custom amount.
A $50 recurring donation for for at least 4 months or
a $99 recurring donation for at least 2 months includes a free, professional-grade 16x20 print.
Once you're recurring payments have been made, simply email us at thelancasterarchive@gmail.com and let us know which image you would like for your free print. Please include your shipping address.
Choose the blue button below to pay with a debit / credit card. Thank you! -Travis and Staff
St Luke Methodist Junior Choir - 1962
Children in the St. Luke United Methodist junior choir pose for a group portrait at the church in April of 1962. In front is Dr. Marshall, who directed the choir. (Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Girl Scouts Day Camp - 1965 - Lancaster SC Photos
Girl Scout leader Sarah Porter, seated and wearing a box on her head, laughs with another troop leader while entertaining members during a day camp in Lancaster in June of 1965. (Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Ledell Steele at Steele's Food Store - 1963 - Lancaster SC Photos
Ledell Steele, owner of Steele's Food Store bounces a ball outside his business in downtown Lancaster in 1963. Steele owned two grocery stores and was mayor of Lancaster from 1953 through 1966. Many locals may also remember Steele's son, Ledell, operating Steele's food store at the intersection of Meeting and Wylie streets. (Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Monday, March 16, 2026
New Sponsor - Lancaster Barber Shop
The Lancaster Archive welcomes Lancaster Barber Shop as a new sponsor! Get a sharp look by Andrew at 115 S White St, which is near the "Lank Kiss Stir" mural.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Photographer Spotlight - Lavoy Bauknight
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:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tom Mangum Bridge Construction - 1985 - Lancaster SC Photos
A boat is lifted out of the water during the construction of the Tom Mangum bridge, left, in Aug. of 1985 at the Nitrolee Dam.
Tom Mangum represented Lancaster in the S.C. House of Representatives.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Girls in Action at First Baptist - 1957 - Lancaster SC Photos
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)
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Tri-County Queens Before Christmas Parade - 1960 - Lancaster SC Photos
Beauty queens from York, Chester and Lancaster counties pose for a group portrait before the Lancaster Christmas parade in 1960.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Merry Christmas!
While "The Girl Can't Help It", starring Jayne Mansfield, was playing at Parr Theater, Lancaster's Main St. is seen at night during Christmas of 1956.
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!
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Marshall Building and Shops
Many thanks to the new Marshall Building Shops and Offices for becoming a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive! Rental spaces for your store or office. Call 803.283.1719 for more information.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
North Main Street Bridge Construction - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos
It was empty fields back in the fall of 1955 but now, North Main Street looks a lot different.
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)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Most Popular Image In October
The most popular picture on The Lancaster Archive in the month of October based on views on the website and social media.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Food Trucks!
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer — Lancaster Lights and Holiday Sights is seeking food truck vendors to join the fun!
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Lancaster's Leslie Carroll at USC Football Game - 1992 - Lancaster SC Photos
LHS graduate Leslie Carroll, far right, is seen before the Tennessee game on Oct. 31, 1992 in Columbia, S.C.
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)
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Adrienne Blackmon at North Elementary - 1980s - Lancaster SC Videos
A short but sweet video clip of the late and beloved Adrienne Blackmon. My father, Bobby, aimed his camera at thousands of people over the years and Adrienne was a good sport that day!
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)
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Tweetsie Railroad Entrance - 1974
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C. is seen in 1974. Thousands from Lancaster have visited the wild west theme park since it opened in 1957.
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)
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Girl Scouts Luncheon - 1965 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts Seniors gather for a luncheon in July of 1965. (Photo by Lee Studio via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Lancaster High School LHS (SC) State Championship Football Team - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
Most football players and coaches pose for their official group photo before the season starts. But when the team wins the state championship, another group photo is made after the season is complete.
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
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Wade Corn with Lancaster High Football Team - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster High School head coach Wade Corn talks to his team during halftime of the Greenville game in November of 1959 in Lancaster.
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)
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Coach Max Clyburn With LHS Golf Team - 1965 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster High School golf team members pose with Coach Max Clyburn (kneeling at left) in March of 1965 at The Lancaster Golf Course. Clyburn led the team for 27 years and finished his career with an amazing .857 winning percentage as coach.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)






















