Welcome to The Lancaster Archive, a preservation website featuring historic Lancaster SC photos from 5 photographers spanning 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.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
North Main Street Widening - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos
Wow! Things sure do look different today on North Main St. compared to this 1955 photograph.
Here, a man looks over the city's road widening project as cars head south on Main. As a reference, today's First Presbyterian Church is located near the tall tower on the hill seen to the right of the white house.
The area of large trees seen down the hill at right is the property where today's First A.R.P. Church is located. In 1955, roads were being widened all over the country in response to the economic boom following WW2.
(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Video - Springs Park - 1970 - Lancaster SC
Never-before-seen 8mm footage of Springs Park in Lancaster SC.
Monday, August 16, 2021
Sponsor - The Shops on Main - Lancaster SC
Many thanks to Lancaster's best antique mall, The Shops on Main, for being a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive!
The Shops on Main is located at 212 S Main St.
Lancaster Motor Speedway - 1962 - Lancaster SC Photos
We're glad that No. 28 car is staying on the outside lane down the front stretch in this July 1962 image. Why? Because there were no rails in front of the fans at Lancaster Motor Speedway back then!
Talk about getting close to the action!
This is a great photograph to zoom into and check out all the details. If you look closely, you can see a car going into turn three in the background.
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(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
MLB's Aaron Robinson Baseball Card - 1951 - Lancaster SC Photos
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Children's Hour at Library - 1956 - Lancaster SC Photos
See anyone you know?
Lancaster children pose for a group portrait during children's hour at the Lancaster County Library on Feb. 11, 1956. At the time, the library was located at 210 W. Gay St.
In this photo (not in order) are Robbie Horton, Eleanor Griffith, Sara Mangum, Juanita Smith Phillips, Jane Boyce, Rachel Huggins, Charles Benton, Lou Mangum, Mary Lou Doster, Mary Thomas Mangum, Catherine Mangum, Nancy Kay Hunter, Sally Davis, T. Carter Thomason, Mary Heath Harris, Betsy McConnell Rushing, Mary Franks, Nita McConnell, Douglas Harris, Johnny McGill, Beth Doster, Ben Heath, Retha Munday, Frames Heath, Jean Doster and Chris Benton.
This picture is protected by U.S. and International Copyright. It is illegal to copy, duplicate, download, photograph or print this image without permission from The Lancaster Archive.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
LHS Track Construction - 1993 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Lancaster High School track is seen under construction on Sept. 9, 1993 as Rice School and the new high school are seen in the background.
It was the first day of school in the new building.
Rice School, which served as an elementary and high school for years would become an athletic building for football.
(Photo by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
Monday, July 12, 2021
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
State Newspaper Float in Christmas Parade - 1966 - Lancaster SC Photos
Downtown comes alive as The State newspaper float heads up Main St. during the 1966 Christmas parade.
A beauty queen can be seen in a Ford Mustang at left. Belk department store, Western Auto and Friedman's Jewelers can also be seen in this classic photograph.
(Photo by Bobby Bell/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
Kilburnie - The Inn at Craig Farm
Many thanks to Kilburnie the Inn at Craig Farm for being one of the sponsors that makes The Lancaster Archive possible!
Book your stay at http://www.kilburnie.com/
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Main Street Looking South - 1973 - Lancaster SC Photos
Which places did you go to on Main St. when you were growing up?
B.C. Moore, Hyatt Cinema and Williams Dept. Store are just a few of the places that can be seen in this April of 1973 photograph, looking south.
What else do you see? Maybe your car is in this photo.
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(Photo by Bobby Bell/Bell Studio/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
American Legion Baseball - 1953 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Lancaster Post 31 American Legion baseball team poses for a
group photo on June 10, 1953.
Pictured in no order are Donald Adams, Paul Smith, “Bucy” Baker, Graham Bennett, Bobby Powers, Bennie Hough, Jessie Smith and Joe Parrish.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
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Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Swim Meet at Wylie St. Pool - 1987 - Lancaster SC Photos
Parents and teammates cheer on swimmers during a meet at Wylie St. Pool in the summer of 1987. At far left is the late Adrienne Blackmon and third from left is the late C.B. Mathis.
The pool has been home to hundreds of swim meets over the years.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
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Market Street Pool - 1966 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Market St. Pool comes alive as children play in the shallow end in the summer of 1966.
See anyone you know?
The pool, where many Lancaster children learned swimming lessons over the years, was known for its high diving board, where swimmers would launch into massive cannonballs.
It was located behind the present-day Lancaster County Library.
(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
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Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Girl Scouts at First Methodist Church - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos
Members and leaders of Girl Scouts Troop 10 line up outside First Methodist Church at the intersection of Gay and Catawba streets on Sunday, March 6, 1955.
The girls were a part of the service that day.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
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