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.
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.
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.
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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Category: Government | Police and Other Law Enforcement | Regionalism | 1900s