100 years ago, 1913
Fire in the woods of Poland, near the old poor house, gave rise to the report, Friday morning, that the Poland Spring House was in danger. The fire was on the Mechanic Falls side of the pond, so that the pond lay between the blaze and the famous hotel, which was several miles away, and at no time was in danger. A crew of 200 men was assembled to fight the fire, most of them going from this town. At Poland Spring the bottling works were shut down and the crew sent to assist in putting out the fire. The fire was stopped by a stone wall, where the men made a stand. One young girl saved her home by taking a broom and going into the yard and sweeping a clear space all around the house, so that there was nothing to burn.

50 years ago, 1963
Signs welcoming visitors to Lewiston and urging courteous and careful driving at all times were re-erected yesterday afternoon on Lisbon Street next to the Maine Turnpike entrance and on upper Main Street near the Drapeau dairy. The billboards were taken down last month when it was found they needed some repainting. The signs were erected about two years ago, courtesy of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Lewiston. They are 8-by-4-feet and read “Welcome to Lewiston. Courtesy of your U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Drive Carefully.”

25 years ago, 1988
Sterling Engineered Products Inc. laid off 10 percent of its work force on Friday because of failing markets for the plastic laminate material manufactured by the firm, a spokesman said. But officials declined to disclose the number of workers at the plant or say how many were laid off. The plastics company is the Auburn’s largest employer and has a payroll of more than $25 million, a company vice president said in May. The plant is located on Pionite Road off Washington Street.

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