100 years ago, 1915
“We have come to Auburn because it is the best city in New England in which to establish manufacture and build up a shoe business!” Each word was emphasized by a tap of the pencil upon the desk, as Charles Ault, treasurer of the Ault-Williamson Shoe Co., spoke it. Mr. Ault, with C. R. Williamson, president of the company, was seated, Thursday morning, in the office of the company’s new factory, Minot Avenue, Auburn. He was speaking of the reason why the company left Ellsworth and came to Auburn. As he finished the sentence, Mr. Williamson spoke up: “To build up a shoe business you’ve got to go to a shoe town; Auburn is a shoe city,” said he.

50 years ago, 1965
Two of the three tenants who are presently located in the old Winter Scientific Institutions building on Lisbon Street, who have been given until the end of the month to move out because of a transfer of ownership, have found new locations in the downtown Lewiston shopping area. Carl Aziz, proprietor of Carl’s Fruit Market, reported that he will be in operation, he hopes, by the end of next week, at 32 Ash St. which is the vacant property located next door to the Davis Smoke Shop. Mrs. Albert Vincent, proprietor of Vincent’s Gift Shop, has taken a lease on the vacant property located at 131 Lisbon St. She plans a grand opening early next month. Charles Lawand, who operated a street-level shoe shine stand between the two merchants located in the old building, has reportedly not found a new location as yet.

25 years ago, 1990
Comprehensive Plan Committee members in Turner began initial discussions Tuesday night into the establishment and definition of specific areas or zones within the town. The initial establishment of the zones is designed to set future development patterns and characteristics which citizens, through questionnaires, have indicated they find desirable.

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