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, 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.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT
(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)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT
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)
Interested in a print? Click here to send us an email.
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)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT
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)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT
Saturday, May 29, 2021
New Book About the Lancaster Bakery
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Free Movie Day at Midway Theater - 1955 - Lancater SC Photos
All images ©COPYRIGHT The Lancaster Archive.
Children gather at Midway Theater for a portrait on June 13, 1955. It was free movie day at the cinema, which was located on S. York St.
Movie posters can be seen in the image, including Crashout, Revenge of the Creature and Killers.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Cruising Main - 1982 - Lancaster SC Photos
Cruising Main St. was popular in Lancaster from the 1950s through the 1990s.
Here, traffic is seen on the 100 and 200 blocks of Main St., looking south in 1982.
Drivers would circle the blocks to see who was downtown and catch up with friends in the parking lots.
Lancaster became well known for its weekend, downtown scene.Teens from Rock Hill, Chester, Monroe and other towns in the region would drive to Lancaster to cruise Main.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell Photography)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT