100 years ago, 1917
Auburn’s streets are in a terrible condition since the recent rain. Members of the street department are hard at work clearing away the mixture of snow and water, which lies in the public therefore to a depth of two feet. Farmers arriving in Auburn Friday from the outlying districts tell lurid stories of the condition of the roads. The horses covered with water were mute testimony as to what the farmer has to contend with when he brings his produce to town.

50 years ago, 1967
An Auburn school official said today that a lack of federal matching funds has resulted in delays in the completion of construction of addition to Walton Junior High School in New Auburn. Schools Supt. Lewis E. Webber stated that the current supply of National Defense Education Act funds has been exhausted and parts of the new addition cannot be completed until after new money is made available — on or about July 1 “The building is substantially completed,” Supt. Webber told the Journal. The school official said students are presently using a shop in the addition but the rest of the building is still not ready for occupancy.

25 years ago, 1992
Development Update of Lewiston’s Riverfront. Restoration of Heritage Park, which was destroyed in the construction of a hydro plant, is set to begin April 15. Funding approved so far includes $73,000 from CMP and $80,000 in local Community Development Block Grant money. More money is requested in the 1992-’93 CDSG budget for a second phase to include lighting and landscaping. A boat launch on land near the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority on Lincoln Street will offer access to the Androscoggin for canoes and small boats. The project is more than half completed, according to contractor R. & R. Construction. Construction is under way of a larger, rehabilitated Cedar Street Park which will include three city-acquired lots. The project is funded with $60,000 in Community Development Block Grant money.

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