100 years ago, 1917
Fire stations in Maine and elsewhere would do well by copying after the small but modernly equipped sub-station on South Main street, Auburn. Improvements have recently been completed here that make the “New Auburn” hose house, so-called, a model. Much of the improvement would not have been possible had not Foreman Stephen C. Jones been an apt and interested workman. The bringing up to the times of this little fire station has been a gradual process. S. C. Jones has been the foreman here for nine years and has always been working to render his work more efficient. Foreman Jones was ready to call attention of the public to the station when he has completed an electrically controlled trap over the hole for the slide pole. By his own labors Foreman Jones connected up the trap with the alarm system.

50 years ago, 1967
Want to try something different? How about a cookout in four-below-zero weather? That’s what the Cecil L. Wheeler family of 174 Park Avenue, Auburn, did last year, and they just might do again tonight. The Wheelers are planning their second annual cookout for tonight with 10-12 friends of the family invited to share frosty steaks, and according to the weather forecast of below zero weather, it may be a repeat of last year’s stint. When contacted today Mrs. Wheeler said that “we are going to stay out as long as we can stand it, last year we ended up eating on a glassed in front porch, that was not heated of course.” Ever tried eating steak or buttering bread with mittens on?

25 years ago, 1992
A two-story farmhouse made a 22-mile trip along Routes 26 and 117 from Oxford to Buckfield, stalling traffic in some areas. The house was donated to Faith Bible Chapel of Buckfield by Robinson Manufacturing Co. of Oxford. The house traveled the 22 miles over Streaked Mountain from its original home in Oxford to its new perch on East Buckfield Road in a little over 5 and 1/2 hours. Robinson Manufacturing is absorbing the entire cost of the move.

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