100 years ago, 1915
Contrary to usual customs, Lewiston and Auburn people will not dine on native green peas on the Fourth. If there are exceptions, with a handful of private gardeners who did not lose their crops to the frost, the average family depending on the market for their supply will have to take second-best at fancy figures. The peas from a little south, however, are by no means unworthy of the table. They have been coming along in good quantity and quality and the Telephone variety will sell front 40 cents up. If a mess of natives can be bought they will bring 50 cents. Salmon at 30 cents remains higher for the season of year than usual. Eastern salmon are scarce and western have not been quoted this week, only the chilled.

50 years ago, 1965
The Lewiston Machine Co., one of Lewiston’s fastest expanding concerns, is expanding again for the fifth time in its 20-year life. The River Road concern, involved in the machining and construction of specialized, automated equipment for the shoe industry, is adding 4,000-square feet to its 8,000-square foot building, according to Robert L. Verreault, president of the company. Construction is expected to be complete in August. Lewiston Machine opened its doors 20 years ago on Blake Street in Lewiston. It later moved to Bates Street and then built 4,000 feet on the River Road. A few years ago the company added 4,000 feet, and now is expanding another 4,000 feet. Twenty years ago the firm involved only two people, Verreault and one other. Fifteen years later it had 25 employees and in the last five years the business has grown to employ 75 persons.

25 years ago, 1990
If some of the city administrator’s dreams come true, within a few years Lewiston will be composting the organic portion of its waste stream, the city’s computer will have incorporated a central records system and police files, and there will be a comprehensive written plan for downtown revitalization. If another of Robert Mulready’s dreams comes true, members of the City Council Tuesday will approve his office’s proposed 1990-91 strategic plan.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.