100 years ago, 1914
Lewiston streets, that is some of them, are being oiled. The work of doing this was begun Thursday afternoon and will be continued until all highways which are to be treated have been gone over. This step will be greatly appreciated by all who live in those sections or who have occasion to travel that way. The oil coating will absolutely abate the dust nuisance and make the sprinkling of streets in front of houses unnecessary. The oil, which is known as asphalt, is spread by a monster auto truck mounted with a tank which holds 600 gallons of the oil. It is an odd looking vehicle, because at the rear it drops down to within a few inches of the ground. From the bottom of the tank to the ground is a rubber apron over which the oil flows from the tank to the ground, thereby spreading it out. Before spreading the oil has to be heated. This is done by an arrangement of steam coils running around the inside of the tank. These coils are connected to a steam supply and live steam turned on. This makes the oil run freely. In Lewiston the supply of steam is secured from the steam road roller.

50 years ago, 1964
The Supersonic Car Wash, a Lewiston firm, has moved its center of operation from Sabattus Street to 7 Lincoln St. The car wash is owned by Edward Blanchard, 70 Laurier St., and by Donald Everett of 20 Smith St., both of Lewiston. Everett said the firm felt the Sabattus Street location was “a little too far out” for the customers.

25 years ago, 1989
An attempt to create an attendance policy for students has been declared “dead” for 1989, the principal of Lewiston High School told School Committee members Monday. Principal Richard Sykes, who acknowledged that absenteeism is a serious problem at LHS, said members of a faculty and staff committee have failed to reach a consensus on what measures should be taken. Dividing the School Committee, as well as administrators, is the question of whether an attendance policy should emphasize a stated progression of disciplinary actions for students or stress individual review and communication.