10. lancaster city - City of Lancaster, SC

2. DUNLAP HOUSE/CUNNINGHAM HOME HOTEL: 106 S. Main St., was
constructed around 1875. This yellow-brick building once housed the Dunlap
House, Cunningham Home Hotel and until the late 1930’s Dr. J.D. Pittman’s
hospital was on the second floor. The Wall Of Fame, painted by Muralist Ralph
Waldrop, is located on the Dunlap Street side and features Andrew Jackson, 7th
President of the United States, Dr. J. Marion Sims, regarded as the “father of
modern gynecology”, Elliott White Springs, World War One Flying Ace, author
and chairman of Springs Cotton Mills, Nina Mae McKinney, the first African
American to hold a principal role in the film industry, and Astronaut Charles
Duke, who was the 10th man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission.
3. ORIGINAL BANK OF LANCASTER: 114 S. Main St. was constructed around
1888-1889. Built of red stretcher bond brick with federal influence, this building
was the first bank in Lancaster where Colonel Leroy Springs began his banking
business. This was also the offices of the L&C Railroad Company and the Leroy
Springs Cotton Company.
4. J.F. MACKEY DRUG COMPANY: 134 S. Main St.. Built in 1910 of brown
stretcher bond brick with a boom town roof. The Lancaster Pharmacy and JF
Mackey Drug Company were once housed on the first floor. The second story
façade is of particular interest with a bracket pediment.
5. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: 200 W. Gay St. was organized in 1839
and the first church in the town of Lancaster. The first building was a small frame
structure erected in 1835. The first Mayor of Lancaster, Andrew Mayer, was a
charter member. The present day structure was built in 1950.
6. OLD LANCASTER COUNTY JAIL: 208 W. Gay St., was built in 1823, it is the only
known example of Robert Mill’s use of medieval design. It features hand-hewn
stones with Palladian style architecture. In 1865, it was damaged by fire when
Union soldiers threw turpentine soaked balls of cotton on the roof. Stocks and
whipping posts were used until 1830, as well as scaffolds for hangings. Used as a
county jail until 1979, when an inmate set the cellblock on fire and eleven lives
were lost.
7. FORMER AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH: 311 West Gay St..
This was the first A.M.E. Zion Church in Lancaster, organized in 1870 by Bishop
Isom Clinton, former Treasurer of Lancaster County and founder of 130 other
A.M.E Zion Churches.
8. OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY: 307 W. Gay St., it was the
first brick church in Lancaster County. Erected in 1862, it replaced the wooden
structure that was built in 1835. The building reflects early gothic revival style
architecture, with 16-inch thick walls of inscribed plaster to resemble stone,
hand-molded brickwork around the windows. During the Civil War, Sherman’s
cavaliers stabled their horses inside the sanctuary. After a new building was erected
on Main Street in 1926, the building was used for various groups. Veterans of five
wars are buried in the cemetery, including the War of 1812, Florida Seminole War,
Mexican War and the Civil War. The oldest legible stone is dated 1836. Today, it is
the Cultural Arts Center at the Old Presbyterian Church.
9. SPRINGS HOUSE: 201 W. Gay St. The home was built between 1828 and 1835
by Robert Gill. It was purchased by Leroy Springs after his marriage to Grace
Allison White in the early 1890’s and is the birthplace of Elliott White Springs, the
fifth ranked U.S. WWI Flying Ace, and world renowned author. Springs, changed
the course of American advertising, through humorous and risqué’ ads making
Springmaid a household name. In 1957, The Springs House was purchased by the
city. In 2000, this building became home to the Lancaster County Council of the
Arts and now houses See Lancaster, a marketing division of the City of Lancaster.
10. LANCASTER CITY HALL: 216 S. Catawba St., was completed in January 2000.
It houses the City Council Chambers and several city departments. The arch
windows and columns were heavily influenced by the historic Courthouse.
11. OLD UNITED STATES POST OFFICE: 301 S. Main St. Erected in 1927, it was
built of yellow common brick with gray molded concrete trim and served as the
Post Office until 1986. In 1808 this was the original home site of Dr. Bartlett Jones,
whose daughter Teresa married world-famous gynecologist Dr. J. Marion Sims.
12. MURAL AND SCULPTURE PARK: S. Main and E. Arch St. Developed in 1976
as a U.S. Bicentennial project, muralist Ralph Waldrop captured the “Spirit of
Lancaster” with the mural stretching from Arch Street around the back of
buildings on Catawba Street and covers more than 36,000 square feet. Sculptures
in the park were designed by Lancaster’s internationally acclaimed artist Bob
Doster and the street benches along Main Street were designed by Lancaster
school children under his instruction.
13. SPRINGS BLOCK: 200 block of Main St., built by Col. Leroy Springs in
1905, of red stretcher and common bond brick, this block once housed many of
Lancaster’s leading businesses. It was here that Leroy Springs, and eventually his
son, Elliott White Springs, would direct the operation of the Springs Cotton Mills.
Also housed here were The Lancaster Mercantile Company and The Hotel Royal.
14. OLD FARMERS BANK & TRUST: 206 S. Main St., was built in 1915 and is of
Greek Revival style and faced with Indiana Limestone in a classical manner. It was
originally part of the old Dr. J.F. Mackey estate land, and formerly housed the Old
Farmers Bank and Trust Co.
15. CB’s FORMAL WEAR: 207 S. Main St. Built in 1880 as a retail store, C.B.
Mathis purchased the building in 1978 and developed it into a women’s specialty
store offering evening wear for hundreds of ladies competing for titles, such as
Miss America, Miss and Teen USA, and Miss World.
16. J.F. MACKEY HOME/BANK OF LANCASTER: 202 S. Main St. Originally
constructed on Dr. J.F. Mackey’s home site in 1907, it was built of red stretcher
bond brick. The roof is a low, rounded, boom town style with Flemish Ogee gables
centered in parapet. Dr. Mackey leased the first floor to the First National Bank
and to B.C. Hough Jewelers. Often called the Opera House, because the second
floor was used for plays, concerts and dances, the second floor served for many
other functions, as well as the armory for the Lancaster National Guard.
17. FITZPATRICK MERCANTILE: 203-205 S. Main St. Currently used for special
events and community gatherings, this site was once home to the T.M. Fitzpatrick
Mercantile, which was built in 1875. Before it was destroyed, in the late 1900’s, it
had 14 chimneys and fireplaces built into the second floor walls.
18. MCKENNA BLOCK: 125 S. Main St.. Possibly built in the late 1860’s or 1870’s,
this block was named after the largest landowner in downtown Lancaster, William
McKenna. Built of red Flemish bond brick, it is perhaps the oldest commercial
block in downtown Lancaster.
19. OLD MASONIC HALL: 107 S. Main St. Made of three brick cornices and
brick insets, the second story is of yellow stretcher bond brick. Built in 1902 for
Jackson Lodge No. 53 A.F.M. A dispensary was located on the first floor, as well as
a variety of businesses from medical to dentist offices and a pool hall. Today it is
the studio and gallery of Chastain’s Loft, owned by artist Christina Chastain who
has received numerous awards including the SC Arts Education Association’s Art
Advocates. www.chastainsstudiolofts.com
20. DAVIS PROPERTY: 101–103 S. Main St. Originally the Cross Roads Gin
House, in 1867, Thomas Davis operated a store and bakery on the first floor.
Here is where he genetically engineered the “Clemson Spineless Okra,” a variety
of the vegetable that is nationally known. The family’s living quarters were on
the second floor. In 1931, a whole variety of shops occupied the space, including
a Chinese laundry, a fruit store, barbershop, liquor store and a Singer Sewing
Machine Center.
21. LANCASTER COUNTY OFFICES: 101 N. Main. Completed in October 2002,
and houses the Lancaster County Administrative Offices. The arched windows,
similar brick work and columns reflect the design of the historic Courthouse.
PLEASE NOTE: 1- 21 are referenced on the sidewalks in front of each site listed.
H istoric Walking Tour
1. THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE: 100 N. Main St. First courthouse on this site
was a one–story, log building constructed in 1795, replaced in 1801 by a twostory frame courthouse. The present building, 1825-1828, was designed by Robert
Mills, designer of the Washington Monument and other national buildings.
Built of Flemish bond brick, an estimated 300,000 slave-made bricks were used
for construction. Possibly the last witchcraft trial in America was held on these
grounds in 1813. The monument in front of the courthouse was built from local
granite and dedicated June 4, 1909. The Confederate soldier on the monument is
Captain Amos McManus of Lancaster.
Things to Do in Lancaster
Performing Arts Series
September to April
USC Lancaster
Bundy Auditorium
Finally Friday!
Last Friday of each month
June until September
Fire Expo
October
Wal-Mart Parking Lot
Boo Fun Festival
Halloween Night
City Hall
Christmas in The City
Lighting of the Tree
Friday after Thanksgiving
Historic Springs House
Santa Express
1st Weekend in December
L&C Railroad, LLC.,
Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc.
Christmas Parade
2nd Saturday in December
Main Street
Easter Bash
Saturday prior to Easter
Teen Day in LA
Mid Spring
USC Lancaster
Red Rose Festival
Mid May
Historic downtown Lancaster
I Have A Dream Parade
Parade and Ceremony
Main Street and City Hall
Mid January
Other Points
of Interest
A. LANCASTER COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER: 104 North Main St. In
May 2011, the county dedicated the 102,000 sq. ft. building Judiciary
Square; with three floors, housing four courtrooms and offices for
seven departments. The sculpture “Windows Through Time”, behind
the building on Dunlap and Catawba Street, designed by artist Bob
Doster, reflects the old courthouse of the past and the new courthouse
of the future. The small park is dedicated to the memory of fallen law
enforcement officers, firefighters and veterans. The intersection of
Main and Meeting Street is where county street directions change
from north to south and east to west.
B. USCL NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES CENTER: 119 S. Main St.
Formerly retail businesses, it became home to the USCL Native
American Studies Center through a 2011 partnership with the City
of Lancaster. Opportunities for the public include tours of the Native
American Art Exhibits, archival research on SC Indians, and Native
American Studies Classes. Throughout the year, events celebrating
Native American cultures are held in the center.
C. RED ROSE PARK: 118. S. Main St. was established in 2009 on
the site of the old Belk Department Store. After the condition of
the building required that it be demolished, landscaping, fencing,
walkways and a water feature were added to provide a restful spot
to relax.
D. BOB DOSTER’S BACKSTREET STUDIOS: 217- 221 E. Gay St. A
row of 1940’s pool halls & cafés, once known as Backstreet, is home
to Lancaster native & award-winning artist Bob Doster. For nearly 50
years, Doster has been a teaching artist whose own works are collected
internationally. Visitors are welcome to tour a working studio and
galleries with sculpture garden featuring exhibits ranging from
students’ work to nationally-acclaimed artists. www.bobdoster.com
E. THE LANCASTER COUNTY LIBRARY: 313 S. White St. This building
is the main branch of the three libraries that serve Lancaster, Kershaw
and Indian Land. A collection of materials dealing with Local History
and Genealogy are maintained. The focus is on Lancaster County, but
some material on South Carolina and other states is available.
F. L&C RAILROAD, LLC., GULF & OHIO RAILWAYS, INC.: 512 S. Main
St.. In 1873, a Special Act of the South Carolina General Assembly
granted a charter to the Cheraw and Chester Railway Co. to construct
a railroad. In 1896, it was renamed Lancaster and Chester Railroad
when purchased by Leroy Springs. In 2010, L&C Railroad became
part of the Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. The Railroad Museum,
established in 1995, is located inside the L&C Depot and has a scale
model replica of the original 29-mile route of the L&C Railroad to
include exact replicas of every building and facility along the train
route, as well as railroad memorabilia from 1873 to the present.
PLEASE NOTE: A through F are additions to the historic walk
and do not have a reference point on the sidewalks.
Our
H istory
Established in the mid 1700’s
by Scots-Irish and English
settlers, this area was viewed
as a “Garden of Eden” for the
Native Americans, including
the Cherokee, the Catawba,
and the Waxhaw tribes. The
arrival of Scots-Irish settlers,
mostly from Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, ushered in an
era of drastic change. The newcomers named the area for their homelands in
England, the region of the famous House of Lancaster that opposed the House of
York in the legendary War of the Roses.
Lancaster was originally known as Barnettsville when the first courthouse was
erected in 1795. In 1802, an application was made for a charter for the village
of Lancaster. A court dispute over the original plat was not resolved until 1824.
By 1825, its jail and courthouse were erected. Both were designed by Robert
Mills, the renowned American architect who studied under Thomas Jefferson
and later designed the Washington Monument. In December 1830, by Act of the
South Carolina State Legislature, the Town of Lancaster was incorporated and
provision was made for the election of town officials. The first election was held
on the first Monday in March 1831, and Andrew Mayer was elected as Mayor.
The Town of Lancaster was re-chartered in 1898 and as the City of Lancaster in
1967.
Downtown
Walking Tour
& Guide
Historical Sites • Landmarks
During the Civil War, troops under General William Tecumseh Sherman
occupied the town on their way to Virginia after the Southern campaign in 1865.
Union soldiers attempted to burn both the Courthouse and the Jail. Damage was
not severe to either building, but many wills and other important papers were
destroyed. The soldiers looted the town and stabled their horses in the sanctuary
of the Presbyterian Church, which had been built in 1862.
In the period of recovery following the war, Col. Leroy Springs founded Springs
Cotton Mill in 1895, an industrial enterprise that grew to become the “largest
textile plant in the world.” Global in scope, Springs Industries shaped the
fortunes of Lancaster and its citizens for more than 100 years. The “Springs
Block” along Main Street is evidence of Springs’ tremendous influence.
Over the years, the area has hosted two wars on its soil and has nurtured several
famous native sons, among them Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the
United States; William R. Davie, founder of the University of North Carolina;
Stephen D. Miller, South Carolina’s twenty-fifth governor; Dr. J. Marion Sims,
the father of modern gynecology; Elliott White Springs, textile industrialist;
Nina Mae McKinney, actress and Broadway star; Charles Duke, astronaut and
moon-walker; and Jim Hodges, 114th governor of South Carolina. Both the City
of Lancaster and Lancaster County are filled with many historical sites dating
back to pre-Revolution times.
Today, the citizens of the City of Lancaster proudly claim the red rose, the
traditional coat of arms of the House of Lancaster, as their emblem.
City of Lancaster
PO Box 1149, Lancaster, SC 29720
www.lancastercitysc.com
SEE
LANCASTER