100 years ago, 1915
Already signs of dryness in liquor conditions in Lewiston are apparent and before there is any frost on the pumpkin, it is expected that open barrooms in this here town will be about as scarce as hens’ teeth. For the past two or three nights, booze wagons have been carting the stuff back to the railroad stations and to other places, bartenders have been discharged and on Saturday night some of the places closed their doors until further orders, it was said.

50 years ago, 1965
The old DeWitt Hotel, one of Lewiston’s oldest landmarks with a history all its own, gave way to the large claws of powerful, man-made machines today. At noontime when the large caterpillar engines were shut off by the operators for a lunch break, all that was standing was the metal encased elevator shaft which was located somewhere in the middle of the hotel. From 7 o’clock this morning until the building was down at noon, it was push-and-pull by the huge machines at the interior and exterior walls of the old building, sometimes with the use of heavy-gauge steel cables. In a little over four hours, the two floors facing Park and Pine Street collapsed under the strain, creating dust thicker than the proverbial “pea-soup” fog. Firemen with hoses were helpful in keeping the dust wet down, enabling the machine operators to keep at the job without too many holdups.

25 years ago, 1990
Construction workers inadvertently cut a gas line on Lisbon Street in Lewiston Wednesday morning, interrupting service to the industrial park and other surrounding businesses on the same system. Northern Utilities supervisor Ron Bilodeau said service was restored at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. Traffic was delayed In the area for half an hour while gas company workers alleviated the danger of natural gas leakage. Lewiston Fire Department Lt. Ron Cote, who referred to the leak as a significant danger, said everything was under control by noon.

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