Will You Consider a Donation?

The Lancaster Archive is the only organization that actively makes historic photographs available to the public. 

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

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)

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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)

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Many thanks to Builders Supply for helping bring hundreds of celebrated images to life from our hometown's visual history! 

Builders Supply. A Great Place to Work!

 

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. 

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(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." 

Miss Lancaster High in Christmas Parade - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos

Miss Lancaster High, Sandra Williams, waves to the crowd at the intersection of Main and Arch streets during the 1959 Christmas Parade. 

Children can be seen in the background standing on a car to get a better view. At right is the former post office. 

(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

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

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Children Waiting for Christmas Parade - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos

Children wait for the Lancaster Christmas Parade to start in Dec. of 1959 on Main St. 

Many children flocked to the front of the line to get a clear view and have a better chance of catching candy from people in the parade. 

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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.

Laura Smith Dancers Meeting Clown Before Christmas Parade - 1960

Dancers at Laura Smith's School of Dance meet with a clown at Smith's studio before heading over to the Lancaster Christmas Parade in 1965.

(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

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Miss Heath Springs in the Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1964 - Lancaster SC Photos

Miss Heath Springs, Patricia Cauthen Ussery, is seen in the Lancaster Christmas Parade as the Heath Springs High School cheerleaders and band follow behind in 1964. 

Look closely and you'll see people in the windows above. 

Playing at the Parr Theater was Youngblood Hawke. 

Do you see Harper's Five & Dime? 

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(Photo by Lee Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

Mule-Drawn Buggy in Lancaster Christmas Parade - 1954

A mule-drawn buggy heads south on Main St. near the intersection of Main and Arch streets during the 1954 Christmas parade. 

The building seen in background is where The Spirit of Lancaster mural is seen modern day. 

Playing at the Parr Theater is Hondo, which was released in 1953 and starred John Wayne. 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

Main Street Looking South - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

Taylors Grocery Store is seen at the corner of Main and Dunlap streets, looking south, in June of 1954. 

Looking down the street, Kimbrell's, Belk, Parr Theater and more can be seen. 

1954 was the last year the globe lights seen in this classic photo were used on Main St. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Bauknight/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recording Artists and More - 2022 - Lancaster SC Famous People

 

Now that's one amazing playlist. And, did you know? Every song has a Lancaster connection. All of the individual names mentioned in the text below are from Lancaster.

 

Don Dixon was the producer for R.E.M., which produced 22 Billboard Top 100 Hits. The band is in The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

 

Brandon Still is the keyboardist for Blackberry Smoke, which has released seven studio albums and two live albums, including the 2016 song "Like an Arrow" which climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Top 100. 

 

Tim Swain, Todd Ray, and Chris Price, formed the rap group The White Boys in the 1980s. They signed with Tin Pan Apple Records, released an album, made appearances on the legendary Fresh Fest Tour and wrote music for other recording artists. In the summer of 1987 The Beach Boys and The Fat Boys teamed up to create the hip hop version of "Wipe Out". The song was written by Tim Swain and Todd Ray. "Wipe Out" climbed to No. 12 in the states and No. 2 in the U.K. Ray won two Grammys during his career for other production work. 

 

Julie Roberts climbed to the Top 20 spot on the country charts with her 2004 song "Break Down Here". The hit was from her self-titled album, which put two other singles in the Top 50. The album was certified gold. Her new album, "Ain't In No Hurry" will be available everywhere this Friday.

 

In the 1950's, Maurice Williams spent many hours during his lunch break practicing with classmates in a doo-wop/R&B band in what was then, the Barr St. High School auditorium. That practice would pay off in a big way a few years later as he and his band, The Zodiacs, topped the charts with their 1960 No. 1 hit, "Stay". The song was a part of the Dirty Dancing movie soundtrack and has been recorded by other artists like Jackson Browne, The Hollies and The Four Seasons. At just over a minute-and-a-half long, it is the shortest song in history to top the U.S. charts.

 

Daniel Kirkley has recorded dozens of faith-based songs. In 2003, he released an independent album titled Seasons of Grace. In 2007, he signed with contemporary Christian record label, Centricity Music, recording the album Let Love Win, which includes favorites like "A Mother's Song" and "My New Dawn". 

 

Many know Nina Mae McKinney as the first black actresses to star in a sound movie. She was also popular on Broadway. Her image can be seen on the Lancaster County Wall of Fame. The multi-talented singer and dancer was inducted into The Black Film Makers Hall of Fame. She also recorded the song "Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day". 

 

It's amazing to look at all the talent that Lancaster has produced over the years. And that's just in the music industry.

 

 

 This look back into our hometown's history is brought to you by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor - The Shops on Main

 

Many thanks to The Shops on Main for being one of the sponsors on The Lancaster Archive! 

 

 

 

 

 

Johhny Roscoe During LHS Practice - 1993 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

LHS head coach Johnny Roscoe talks with his team during a 1993 practice. Roscoe, who was the Bruins' coach and athletic director for 21 seasons, took LHS to two state championship appearances in Columbia in 1989 and 1990. 

He left Lancaster in 2005 and two years later became the head coach at Northern Guilford High School in North Carolina. 

While at NGHS, he won four state championships. 

Roscoe won over 300 games during his career. 

After retiring from coaching, he and his wife, Jane, moved back to Lancaster county, were they live now. 

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(Photo by Travis Bell/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 Thanks to The Lancaster News for being a sponsor on The Lancaster Archive!

 

 

 

 

Boy Scouts Day - 1962 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

 

Lancaster Boy Scouts pose for a group photo during National Boy Scouts Day in Feb. of 1962. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springs Plant Baseball Team - 1924 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

 

The Lancaster Springs Plant baseball team poses for a group photo in 1924. 

The textile leagues were a big part of Southern culture in the early to mid 20th century. Most games were played on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

Some of the men present in this classic photograph are:

Manager Turner Morton, M.L. Beckham, Grady Bolin, Chiny McDonald, Harvey Barfield, future U.S. Rep. Dick Richards, Tom Stewart and Thurlow Pittman

 

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(Dick Richards Archive Collection via The Lancaster Archive) 

 

 

 

 

 

Will Brice Punting in NFL - 1999 - Lancaster SC Photos

Lancaster native and LHS graduate Will Brice punts for the Cincinnati Bengals in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers on September 26, 1999. 

Brice also played for the St. Louis Rams. 

He played college ball for The University of Virginia. 

In 2010, the Cavaliers retired his jersey. In 1995, Brice became the first specialist from UVa to be named a first-team All-American. 

He was named all-ACC four times. His punts that pinned Florida State inside their own 10-yard line four times in 1995 were part of a team effort that dealt the Seminoles their first-ever, ACC loss.

(Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)

 

 

 

Lancaster Motor Company - 1954 - Lancaster SC Photos

 

 

Lancaster Motor Company is seen in September of 1954. The popular car dealership, which sold Chevrolet models and more, was located on Market St. near the intersection of Market and Gay streets. Many 

 

Lancaster families bought their first car here during the economic boom following World War II. 

 

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(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)

 

 

 

 

 

Please Welcome Our New Sponsor! Janice Mathis State Farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lancaster Archive is pleased to welcome Janice Mathis State Farm as a sponsor on our site!

Janice is a second generation State Farm agent so she can help you find the policy that works best for you. 

Give her a call for more info or visit https://janicemathis.com/