Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Many thanks to Builders Supply for being one of the sponsors on The Lancaster Archive! 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, July 3, 2022

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)

 

 

 

 

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Main & Williams Streets - BF Goodrich - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

The intersection of Main and Williams streets is seen in September of 1954, with Main St. seen on the left.

Back then, this corner was home to Stewman's B.F. Goodrich Tires and Batteries. 

Today, Cooper Furniture is across the street from this location on Main St. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Goodyear Tire (Now the Purple Rooster) - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

See that GE Appliances sign down the right side of the building? That's the entrance to The Purple Rooster gift shop today. 

Back in 1954, this location was a Goodyear Tire store and also sold appliances. 

Located at the intersection of Main and Gay streets, it's also home to Downtown Craze Salon, located at the front. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

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Many thanks to Lancaster Funeral Home for being a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive. 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Kilburnie on White Street - 1985 - Lancaster SC Photos





Kilburnie, the Inn at Craig Farm has come a long way since 1985. 

The federal-style home was built by dentist Joseph Lee between 1826 and 1834. 

For decades, it sat empty with little hope for a future. 

On Feb. 6, 1999, the house was moved from this 204 N. White St. location to its new home on Craig Farm Rd. 

Kilburnie, which officially opened as a bed and breakfast on May 21, 2000, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Lancaster Motor Speedway Construction - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

In the 1950s, Lancaster Motor Speedway hosted four NASCAR Cup series events. Over the years, drivers like Ernie Irvan and Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran at the 1/2 mile track. 

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

Here, in Sept. of 1954, turn four is seen in the foreground as workers level out the hill that will become the stands on the front stretch. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, June 27, 2022

LHS Majorettes - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

 




The Lancaster High School Majorettes pose for a group photo in Sept. of 1954. 
 
At far left is Eleanor Chapman and second from right is Patsy King. 
 
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

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https://www.pmg-sc.com/the_lancaster_news/

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Girls Scouts Bike Riding Tips and Safety Check - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

Girl Scouts meet with a law enforcement officer to go over safety tips on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1954. 

See below for cropped versions of this image, making it easier to see faces.

The 1950s saw a huge leap in the mass production of bikes for children. 

Before the 50s bikes were mostly for adults but some adults lost interest in riding bikes with the development and affordability of the modern automobile. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Bauknight/The Lancaster Archive) 









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Tuesday, June 7, 2022

WIS-TV's Rick Henry Interviews Coach Johnny Roscoe - 1989 - Lancaster SC Photos

WIS-TV's Rick Henry interviews Lancaster High School head football coach Johnny Roscoe before the Bruins' game against Spring Valley in Nov. of 1989. LHS would play in the state championship game in Columbia in December.  (Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

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)

 

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Thursday, May 12, 2022

Chesterfield School Boys Choir - 1952 - Lancaster SC Photos



The Lions Club boys choir of Chesterfield School poses for a group photo in April of 1952. 

The group was led by Edith Long. (Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

See below for cropped versions, making it easier to see faces. 

 

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Many thanks to P&J Sales for being a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Market Street Pool Preparing for Opening - 1961 - Lancaster SC Photos

 


 

 Can you find the high-dive board? 

Thousands of amazing leaps, flips and cannonballs were made off this board. 

Here, city workers prepare the Market St. pool for opening in May of 1961. Many Lancaster children got their swimming lessons at this pool, which opened in 1953 at the intersection of Market St. and Chesterfield Ave. 

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 (Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Market Street Pool Opening Day - 1963 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

One swimmer launches off the small diving board, at left, while another takes the plunge off the high dive during opening day of Market St. Pool in the summer of 1963. 

The pool opened its doors in 1953 and welcomed swimmers for over 40 years. 

See below for cropped versions of this image. Visit this entry to view an aerial photo of the pool.

 

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(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive/Image on File with Travis Bell / Creative, LLC

 










 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Central School May Day - 1951 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

Central School students wait for their turn to be a part of the May Day program in 1951. 

 

May Day traces back to a European tradition, marking the beginning of summer. 

 

It is traditionally celebrated about halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. 

 

View more versions of this image in the next entry below. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

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