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.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Dobson School Students - 1963 - Lancaster SC Photos
LHS Athletes - 1962 - Lancaster SC Photos
A rare, color photograph of Lancaster High athletes in Sept. 1962. From left are _______, Andy Dickert, Vicki Porter, ________, Margaret Bell, Edward Knight, Bucky Hardin and Suzanne Wylie.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Boy Scouts at Buckelew Park - 1955
Boy Scouts pose for a picture while cleaning up Buckelew Park in June of 1955. See anyone you know?
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Monday, May 15, 2023
Fran's Faithful Finds
Check out the latest offerings on her site, including bags, totes, coolers and more at:
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Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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.
Thursday, April 13, 2023
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
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
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)
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
New Sponsor - Fran's Faithful Finds at 31 Gifts
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Central School Chorus - 1970 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Central School Chorus poses for a group photo during a PTA meeting in April of 1970.
Seen in this picture are:
Joe Shaw Jr, Jennifer Rose Delgobbo, Frances Ellis, Terry Sears Chandler, Tina Thomas Davis, Libby Sweatt Lambert, Sheila Randall Gates, Stuart Love and Kevin Threatt.
Cropped version can be seen below, making it easier to see faces.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Post 31 Baseball Team - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Lancaster Post 31 baseball team poses for a group portrait in June of 1959. See anyone you know?
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
View more sports images on this site.
Sponsor - The Lancaster News
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Horseshoes at Buckelew Park - 1956 - Lancaster SC Photos
Young boys play horseshoes during a picnic at Buckelew Park in July of 1956.
What's your favorite memory of Buckelew Park?
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Earl Cunningham at North Elementary - 1992 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster High graduate Earl Cunningham signs autographs for students at North Elementary in 1992.
The slugger was selected in the first round by the Chicago Cubs in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.
Did you know?
Cunningham and South Carolina Gamecocks baseball coach Mark Kingston were teammates on the Cubs' minor league team in Peoria, Ill in the 90s.
Today, Cunningham owns his own business in Columbia and gets back to Lancaster often.
(Lancaster News photo via The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
LHS Band Room - 1970 - Lancaster SC Photos
A fisheye view of the Lancaster High School band room seen during a tour of the new building following a dedication ceremony in August of 1970.
The room is now home to Learn TV. (Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Sponsor - Blackmon Trust
Many thanks to Blackmon Insurance Group for being one of the sponsors that makes The Lancaster Archive possible!
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Will You Consider a Donation?
There are hundreds of hours spent on reviewing, preserving, restoring and digitizing our hometown's visual history.
We appreciate donations to The Archive, which help us continue these efforts.
Please find below a button that makes it easy to donate to The Archive.
Will you consider a donation of $10, $25 or $50? Your donation helps bring hundreds of celebrated, Lancaster images to life.
Donate $50 and receive a free, 8x10 print of any image on this site.
Donate $75 and receive a free, 11x14 print of any image on this site.
After making a donation, scroll to the bottom of any page on this site and fill out the contact form. Please use the form to let us know which print you would like and the address you'd like it mailed to. Your print will arrive in 10 days or less.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 803.312.2942.
Thank you! -Lancaster Archive Staff
Saturday, December 24, 2022
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)
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Mullis Bros. Auction Car in Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1961 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Mullis Brothers parade entry heads up Main St. during the 1961 Christmas Parade.
Taking a look at the kid in the back window at left, we're thinking he's not sure what is going on! A fun time though for sure.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Sponsor - Builders Supply
Monday, December 19, 2022
Waiting for Christmas Parade - 1960 - Lancaster SC Photos
Who's ready for candy?
Children and adults wait for the start of The Lancaster Christmas Parade in 1960.
Kids often moved to the front of the line in hopes of getting candy, which was thrown from floats during the parade.
See below for cropped versions, making it easier to see faces.
(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Editor's Note: Thanks to Mary Lee Barton for naming some of the people in this photograph.
"I see Harry Melton and his boys. Bernice is standing behind them.
On down the line is Betty Ross Hinson Carter and her mother Trudy Hinson. Then down the line is Karen Kirk Hatcher sitting and her mother Grace Kirk standing behind her. Great memories."
Sarah Deese Funderburk also added:
"Lynette and Arlene Lawson center front seated."