The Ordinances of Lancaster, South Carolina, 1903

We've all seen those features that dig up "Crazy Laws Still on the Books." But how did such ordinances ever first get established? By big and small towns trying to regulate every human behavior they could think of.

Here are a few choice samples from a randomly chosen place!

Source: The Lancaster News (Lancaster, South Carolina) 16 May 1903



No public marble playing



No annoying churchgoers



No hookers



No tramps, cardsharps or fortune tellers



No dirks or slingshots



No outward-opening gates



Must ring bicycle bell



No piles of public poop



No bad oysters



To their credit, the officials imposed lots of rules on the cops as well. These are just a few.



     Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 19, 2022
     Category: Government | Police and Other Law Enforcement | Regionalism | 1900s





Comments
Makes you think this town had a problem with unruly behavior— especially those marble players and oyster eaters.
Posted by Brian on 01/19/22 at 01:33 PM
And what about these pesky women going for a jog at night?

Also, it would be fun to see the cyclists banging on their gong. That would certainly help road safety.
Posted by Yudith on 01/22/22 at 06:15 AM
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