Newspapers

 

The Lancaster County Library has collected original and microfilmed newspapers for decades as part of its effort to preserve the local historical record. All copies of local newspapers have been microfilmed and are available outside the Caroliniana Room. Newspaper holdings are listed in the Library's Online Catalog.

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The Library also maintains a limited Clippings File.

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Brief History

Lancaster, Lancaster County

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Lancaster Ledger   (1852 - 1905)

The Lancaster Ledger began when Robert S. Bailey published his first issue February 12, 1852. A short history of the paper was written in 1905 by Thurlow S. Carter in his farewell, printed in the last issue of the Ledger.

• Library has 1852 - 1867;
  sporadic issues only 1868 - 1891;
  1891 - 1893;
  sporadic issues 1894 - 1897;
  1898 - 1905
   

Lancaster Review   (1878 - 1905)

The Lancaster Review began in 1878 and continued into 1905. Its farewell, written by Charles Thorn Connors, is taken from the Lancaster News.

• Library has 1885 - 1905 (only 18 issues total)
   

Lancaster Enterprise   (1891 - 1905)

The first issue of the Lancaster Enterprise made its appearance March 18, 1891. A.J. Clark's 1905 farewell was also carried in the Lancaster News.

• Library has 1897 - 1903 only
   

Lancaster News   (1905 - present)

The Lancaster News was created by consolidating the Ledger, Review, and Enterprise. Its first issue appeared October 4, 1905 and continues today.

• Library has 1905 - 1919 with significant gaps; 1920 - present
   

 

Kershaw, Lancaster County

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Kershaw Era   (1891 - 1936)

John W. Hamel (1861 - 1937) published his first issue of The Kershaw Era in 1889. The last issue was published a few days before his death on New Year's Day, 1937.

• Library has sporadic issues 1913 - 1936 only
   

Kershaw Times   (1938 - 1939)

The short-lived Kershaw Times began in 1938. Early in 1939, it consolidated with the Lancaster News.

• Library has one issue only
   

Kershaw News Era   (1946 - present)

The Kershaw News Era's first issue appeared October 11, 1946 and continues today.

• Library has 1946 - present
   

 

Kershaw County

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Camden and Lancaster Beacon   (1831 - 1832)

Published in Camden, Kershaw County, SC, the Camden and Lancaster Beacon ran for about 1 1/2 years 1831-1832.

• Library has 1831 - 1832
   

Camden Journal   (1826 - 1891)

Published in Camden under various names.

• Library has 1826 - 1859

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Local History