100 years ago, 1916
In making ready for projected expansion of the Cushman-Hollis shoe factory plant in Auburn Wednesday, John Greenleaf Sons Co. punched a hole towards the Far East antipodes about 40 feet, in order to test the quality of the far-below foundation. About 40 feet below the surface they found quicksand, such as emerged close to the surface in a bog which originally existed on the present site of the Auburn engine house — a bog which disappeared when sewers were put in and the surface drained. As the existing Cushman-Hollis shoe plant has been admirably sustained for many years by the earth’s crust. It would seem that quicksand 40 ft. below the surface does not affect the upper strata to such extent as to make it necessary to drive piles way down below.

50 years ago, 1966
The blessing of automobiles conducted yesterday at Holy Cross Church was conducted as part of a parish-wide campaign for safer driving, it was explained today. At each of the Masses on Sunday prior to delivering the sermon, the presiding priest brought out the moral responsibilities which every driver must assume when he is operating an automobile. Rev. Lucien McKeone and Rev. Georges Plante officiated at the ceremonies during which some 1,000 cars received the special blessings This was conducted prior to the summer vacation period in an attempt to make people more aware of the many hazards of automobile travel.

25 years ago, 1991
The technical advisory team charged with finding a suitable location for a sludge composting facility has narrowed the field to four potential sites, one in Lewiston and three in Auburn. According to Clayton “Mac” Richardson, superintendent of LAWPCA, the four potential sites were chosen from a field of 11 at a special workshop held May 22.

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