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) 

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:

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. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

This historic image was made possible by:

Carowinds First Summer - 1973

The steamboat, monorail and main entrance are seen at Carowinds in the summer of 1973. 

The park first opened in March of '73. 

Several rides that were part of opening day still operate today, including the skytower, which can be seen at left. 

(Photo by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio via The Lancaster Archive)

The Side Porch Restaurant - 1980s - Lancaster SC Photos

The Side Porch restaurant is seen in the 1980s at 308 Dunlap Street. 

The popular lunch spot was also a catering business. 

The house still stands today, located near Discovery School, formerly known as Central School. 

(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)

Duke Insurance Agency - 1950s - Lancaster SC Photos

Charles M. Duke, who was the father of Dr. William "Bill" Duke and Gen. Charles "Charlie" Duke poses inside his office, Duke Insurance Agency, in downtown Lancaster in the early 1950s. 

The reflection of former Lancaster News editor and publisher Julian Starr Jr., who was also a photographer, can be seen in the window. 

(Photo by Julian Starr Jr./The Lancaster Archive)

Kilburnie Yard Sale - 1984 - Lancaster SC Photos

Kilburnie looked a little different back in 1984 when it was downtown. 

Here, a yard sale gets underway in an effort to raise funds to save the house. 

If you look closely, there's a No Trespassing sign on the left column. 

After being moved and fully restored, Kilburnie the Inn at Craig Farm has welcomed guests from all over the world. 

(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)

Main Street Looking North - 1956 - Lancaster SC Photos

The No. 1 song in the land was Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel". Gas was 29 cents a gallon and portable, black-and-white TV sets had just hit the market. 

This is one of those classic images we could look at for hours. Lancaster's Main St. is seen looking north in this amazing photograph captured by Lavoy Bauknight. 

The former J.C. Penney at the intersection of Main and Arch streets can be seen at left. Playing at the Parr Theater is The Man Who Knew Too Much, starring Jimmy Stewart, directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock. 

Look closely to the left and you'll see a promo poster for Johnny Concho, starring Frank Sinatra. To the right side of Main is Lancaster Drug, Robinson Cloud and Collins & Dunn. 

What else do you see in this picture? 

A cropped version is below. 

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Sponsor - Fran's Faithful Finds

Many thanks to Fran's Faithful Finds at Thirty-One Gifts for being a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive!

Now through May 10, when you place an order on her site, 20% of the purchase goes to Lancaster County School District's Girls on the Run programs.

Check out all the latest Thirty-One products at https://www.mythirtyone.com/us/en/franvincent

Perry's Gulf Station on Main St. - 1960s - Lancaster SC Photos

Perry's Gulf Station is seen in the 1960s. 

The full-service gas station was located at the intersection of Main and Meeting streets. 

Full service included the driver being able to stay in the car as the attendant filled up their vehicle with gasoline, checked fluids, tire pressure and processed the payment. 

Can you find the Coca-Cola and Pepsi machines in this photo? 

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(Photo by Lavoy Bauknight/The Lancaster Archive) 

New Sponsor - Fran's Faithful Finds at 31 Gifts

Many thanks to Fran's Faithful Finds at Thirty-One Gifts for becoming a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive!

Check out all the latest offerings, including Easter-ready gift bundles, wallets and luggage on her website here

Main Street Christmas Looking North - 1970s - Lancaster SC Photos

By the looks of those bell-bottom pants at the corner of Main and Gay streets, no doubt it's the 1970s. 

Hyatt Cinema, Jewel Box and Williams Dept. Store are just a few places that can be seen in this classic, Christmas image, looking north. 

It was made from the top of the former JC Penney building at the corner of Main and Arch streets. This is a fun one to zoom in on to see all the details. 

(Photo by Bobby Bell/ Bell Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

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Lancaster Motor Company - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

 

Lancaster Motor Company is seen in September of 1954. The popular car dealership, which sold Chevrolet models and more, was located on Market St. near the intersection of Market and Gay streets. Many 

 

Lancaster families bought their first car here during the economic boom following World War II. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

Please Welcome Our New Sponsor! Janice Mathis State Farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lancaster Archive is pleased to welcome Janice Mathis State Farm as a sponsor on our site!

Janice is a second generation State Farm agent so she can help you find the policy that works best for you. 

Give her a call for more info or visit https://janicemathis.com/ 

 

 

 

  

The Dairy Mart - 1993 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

Customers line up at the counter to place their order during the early evening in this long exposure photograph of the Dairy Mart in 1993. 

The popular eatery, located at 205 N. Main St., was known for its burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and dipped cones. 

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(Photo by Travis Bell/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

Lancaster Bakery - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

A trip to Lancaster Bakery could cure any sweet tooth. 

Seen on July 6, 1955, the bakery opened its doors on Gay St. on March 29, 1940. 

It was later moved to its location at 222 S. Main St. 

The bakery closed its doors in the early 1980s.     

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Bauknight) 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Street - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

It looks like a scene out of a movie. 

The 100 and 200 blocks of Main St. are seen, looking south, in June of 1954. 

"Mr. Sandman" was one of the top songs that year. The Lancaster Cafe location is across the street from the former Kimbrell's Furniture location. 

What else do you see when you zoom in and look around? 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

Belk's Department Store - Lancaster SC - 1955

Belk's storefront is seen on the south 100 block of Main St. in March of 1955. This location would be on your left if you were traveling north on Main St. 

Today, it's a city park. 

Did you know? 

The founder of Belk's, William Henry Belk, was born in Lancaster. 

He opened the first store in Monroe in 1888. 

Belk's was one of the first stores in the country to offer returns if a customer didn't like their item after taking it home. 

What's your favorite memory from shopping downtown? 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Howards Grill - 1954 - Lancaster SC

Since launching The Lancaster Archive in 2015, the most requested picture from our viewers is Howards Grill. 

We were overjoyed last week to finally come across a beautiful picture of this iconic grill that so many people enjoyed over the years. 

What are your memories about some of the classic grills in Lancaster? What was your favorite item from the menu? 

Many thanks to the late Lavoy Bauknight, who not only had a good eye for images like this one but also worked tirelessly in camera and in the darkroom to produce high-quality photographs like this one. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lancaster Bakery - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

Doughnuts, cakes, pies and cookies are just a few of the sweets waiting for customers at The Lancaster Bakery inside its Gay St. location in September of 1954. 

Fresh baked bread and rolls can also be seen in the image. The bakery was later moved to 222 S. Main St. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)