100 years ago, 1912
The land and buildings at Chapel and Main streets, Lewiston, have been sold by the N.W. Farwell heirs, Boston, to O.S. Ham of this city. The land is 30,600 square feet in extent and the property, which includes several large wooden buildings, is assessed at $40,000. The building of the Great Department Store did much to raise the value. It was reported last evening that Mr. Ham had purchased for the Deere Plow Company of Moline, Illinois. When reached at his home, and when asked if it were true, he replied, “That will be later,” and then hung up the receiver.

50 years ago, 1962
Auburn Fire Chief J. Coleman Miller today blamed an apparently discarded cigarette in the teachers’ lounge at Central School (the former ELHS) for a fire which required clearing the building of several hundred pupils. Chief Miller also credited the actions of janitor Stanley Proctor with preventing widespread circulation of heavy smoke and possibly causing panic among the younger pupils. Proctor opened the door to the teachers’ lounge at mid-morning and was confronted by a cloud of thick smoke. He quickly closed the door and ran to the main office to summon firemen.

25 years ago, 1987
Public Works crews continued their efforts to restore normal water service to the city following two major breaks in water mains Tuesday afternoon as about 60 homes remained without water Wednesday. Water mains on Coolidge Street and Center Street in Auburn ruptured when a power failure caused pumps at the Main Street pumping station in Lewiston to shut down. That resulted in a “water hammer” or backwards pressure surge, which split the lines. A PWD spokesman said the lines which were affected are more than 100 years old.

Copy the Story Link