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)  

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) 

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.

Hours are M-F 9:00 to 5:00

PHONE: 704.292.3765

Thanks to all the sponsors who help bring hundreds of celebrated images to life from Lancaster County's visual history!

Photographer Spotlight - Lavoy Bauknight

 

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT

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 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) 

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)

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) 

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!

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.

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) 

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.

A postman begins his walk up Main Street from the U.S. Post Office near the intersection of Main and Arch streets on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1955.

The Parr Theater, which is advertising the movie "Davy Crockett" can be seen near the center of the photograph.

B.C. Moore and Sons department store can be seen as well. At left is a Navy Recruiting poster. The water tower just over the shoulder of the postman sat beside the former police station, to the right of the Lancaster county courthouse.

(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

Food Trucks!

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer — Lancaster Lights and Holiday Sights is seeking food truck vendors to join the fun!

This magical community event will take place on December 6, 12, and 13, 2025, at 260 S. Plantation Rd. in Lancaster, bringing together families from across the county for an unforgettable celebration filled with lights, laughter, and festive spirit.

If you’re a food truck owner looking to be part of the holiday magic — this is your chance!

Apply today and share your favorite eats with the community. https://www.lancastercitysc.com/.../Lancaster-Lights...

Deadline to apply: November 10

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) 

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) 

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) 

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) 

Upcoming Fall Festival

 

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