Catawba Fish Camp

 

Many thanks to Catawba Fish Camp for helping bring hundreds of celebrated images to life from Lancaster County's visual history!

Lancaster Motor Speedway - 1989 - Lancaster Motor Speedway

Race cars and fans are seen near turn one at Lancaster Motor Speedway in March of 1989. The track has hosted thousands of races since it opened in 1954.

Did you know? In December of 2021, NASCAR used the speedway to test its Next Gen car for the dirt race at Bristol.

(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive

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) 

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) 

 

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!

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) 

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) 

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) 

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. 

PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE

(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. 

PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE

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? 

PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE 

(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