Franklin students survey residents about Main Street wall mural

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~meandrhs/0102News/02.OCT37.htm

Thanks for pointing me to that...it seems that the diary tells the story of a fire in Auburn's original business district and reconstruction of a brick block to replace the site. The "Phoenix Block," as it was called, is on Main Street near bridge with Lewiston.

Maybe the SJ should do a piece on some of the major fires in Lewiston and Auburn...it would be interesting to see what information is out there.

Eagle, I'd be curious to hear about more a fire in 1855. To my knowledge, the area south of the Little Androscoggin was mostly pasture land (other than Danville Junction) and only a couple of houses sat on Laurel Hill. Was this a downtown Auburn fire?

A look at old photographs and written history has the area (and local sports teams) being referred to as New Auburn in the late 1800's and early 1900's before the fire of 1933. But of course, my research of this issue at the historical society, through reading old city annual reports, or evening living there and researching my own and abutting properties is just me "making up history." I'd be happy to walk through you the process of visiting a historical society and learning about the history of this community through facts, and not rumor, if you are interested.

Regardless, this is a great project regardless of the name of the neighborhood it sits in and begins to give these young students, and perhaps those living nearby, ownership of the area.

For those of you who have invited politics--once again--into this story, the fact that where New Auburn begins and ends is a matter of insignificance. It is still Auburn. The real story here is that students will be able to show their value to the community and that the community will not be strapped with a huge monetary outlay to hire professional painters (which is always the concern of taxpayers). This is truly a wonderful way to symbiotically take care of an eyesore in the community. I can't wait to see the change; it has been in need of restoration for a long time.

I would like to see professional artists and some skilled local artists attack the board. No need for silly finger paints this time around. CHANGE :)

Well, there would be a lot of people that would disagree with you on that. However, that's something you're used to anyway.

Technically, while the sign is at the bridge, New Auburn begins where the Grand Trunk rail line passes under Main Street. From that point and south was the Town of Danville, prior to annexation by Auburn. The area that developed after the Auburn takeover, even though there were a handful of houses there already, became known as New Auburn to differentiate itself from Danville Village further to the south.

First off, where exactly does "New" Auburn even end? Second, either way "New" Auburn is still part of Auburn so why not go there and ask the public opinion.

The wall is NOT in New Auburn, so why did the students go there? First the city should fix the wall and send the bill to the landowners. Second students should design, plan and paint murals, like done in the past. It gives the community pride and the students ownership. Ever since this program has started there has been a remarkably little graffiti. The students and siblings generally take care of violators. Lord knows the cops never do.