100 years ago, 1914
Friends of the pupils and teachers in the Wallace school have taken much interest in their efforts to raise money for the purchase of a talking (phonograph) machine, which they hope a will be of much practical benefit to the children. With a nest-egg of about $6 in the bank, they netted about $6 more from the recent “Punch and Judy” show, and for the last week they have made another gain of about the same amount from the sale of rubbers and papers and magazines which the children have collected.

50 years ago, 1964
Plans for the annual gala Auburn Police Ball were announced today. The event, the APD’s main social affair of the year. will be held the evening of Friday, April 14, at Auburn’s Hasty Memorial Armory. Dancing will get underway at 8 p.m. and run until midnight, with a ten-piece orchestra setting the tempo. Special awards will be made during the evening. Feature event of the program will be the hour-long stage show which features entertainment provided by members of the department.

25 years ago, 1989
Auburn officials are drafting two proposals to loan federal funds to spark more industrial development and help a retailer renovate part of the former Romada Moccasin building. Both proposals are still in preliminary stages. Community Development Director Roland Miller said the renovation project was initiated by the owners of Dorsey Furniture, a Portland retailer who has plans to rehabilitate and occupy up to 20,000 square feet of the Minot Avenue building. Romada Moccasin occupied the building until the company closed last year, leaving 160 people out of work. The renovation is expected to cost about $600,000, and the city has been asked to loan the retailing firm $125,000 from the federal funds to pay for part of the project. Miller said the firm has agreed to contribute $175,000 in cash and would seek private financing for the balance.