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, November 15, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Go Bruins Sign At State Championship Game - 1989 - Lancaster SC Photos
No, you're not seeing things. That's a big Go Bruins sign on the sidelines at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia in December of 1989.
Lancaster Telephone Company Booth at Home Show - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
The Lancaster Telephone Company booth is seen during the Lancaster Home Show on April 24, 1959.
Purchasing a colored phone back then was a big deal and so was getting a second phone for the kitchen (See the marketing poster at bottom left).
The Home Show was an opportunity for locals to view the latest products from businesses like Friedman's Jewelers, BC Moore, and Belk.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Duke Insurance Agency - 1950s - Lancaster SC Photos
Charles M. Duke, who was the father of Dr. William "Bill" Duke and Gen. Charles "Charlie" Duke poses inside his office, Duke Insurance Agency, in downtown Lancaster in the early 1950s.
The reflection of former Lancaster News editor and publisher Julian Starr Jr., who was also a photographer, can be seen in the window.
(Photo by Julian Starr Jr./The Lancaster Archive)
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Boys at Driving Range - 1959 - Lancaster SC Photos
Boys pose for a group photo at a golf driving range in Lancaster in 1959.
The economic boom following WW2 saw significant growth in the game of golf around the country.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
LHS Majorettes - 1949 - Lancaster SC Photos
Wow. Look at that fashion back then. The Lancaster High School majorettes pose for a group portrait in 1949. (Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Lancaster News First Edition - 1905 - Lancaster SC Photos
The first edition of The Lancaster (SC) News, published October 4, 1905, is seen in this image.
Leroy Springs, along with his associates, purchased the Ledger, Enterprise, and Review to form the new publication.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
LHS Pep Rally for State Championship Football Game - 1989- Lancaster SC Photos
Students, football players, faculty, news media, and family members gather at a pep rally in the former Lancaster High School gym in December of 1989.
Sitting on the floor is the 1989 football team led by Johnny Roscoe with the 1959 players behind them. It was the team's first trip to the state championship game since the 1959 team won the title under Wade Corn.
The '89 team played Northwestern at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The 1990 team made it back to the state championship in Columbia to battle Union High School.
Both teams attended the same school building as students. This building was located near where the current building is today on Woodland Drive.
Members of the 1959 team were quoted in stories saying it was the loudest and most energetic pep rally they had ever heard or seen. (Photo by Bobby Bell/ Bell Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
See below for cropped versions, making it easier to see details.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Girl Scouts Headed to Springs Park Day Camp - 1955 - Lancaster SC Photos
Lancaster Girl Scouts pose for a photo before heading to Springs Park's day camp on June 2, 1955.
(Photo by Lavoy Studio/The Lancaster Archive)
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Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Preservation Tip - Writing on Prints
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Top 4 All Time
The Top 4 Images All Time on The Lancaster Archive, based on hits on our website and views on social media.
1 - Main Street at Night
2 - Will Brice Punting Against the Panthers
3 - The Dairy Mart
4 - Miss Lancaster Contestants with Miss America and Miss South Carolina at Wagon Wheel
SPONSOR MESSAGE - Fran's Faithful Finds
Hi!
I am Fran Vincent, mother of a Beautifully Birthmarked Babe!
Our daughter discovered the Vascular Birthmark Foundation (VBF) in 2018.
The impact was immediate.
There were others in the world she could see and relate to. She could understand and be understood. Then all of a sudden, she quit hiding her angel kiss. Proudly, walking around the stares. Confidently ready to talk about her port wine stain and birthmark journey!
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Kilburnie Yard Sale - 1984 - Lancaster SC Photos
Kilburnie looked a little different back in 1984 when it was downtown.
Here, a yard sale gets underway in an effort to raise funds to save the house.
If you look closely, there's a No Trespassing sign on the left column.
After being moved and fully restored, Kilburnie the Inn at Craig Farm has welcomed guests from all over the world.
(Photo by The Lancaster News via The Lancaster Archive)
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
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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.
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