100 years ago, 1917
Every rum shop and house of ill-repute in Lewiston is to be wiped out. This effect went out from the Lewiston police department Thursday morning in the form of official notices signed by Chief of Police Keegan and addressed to owners of property which the police assert are being used for the illegal sale and the keeping of intoxicating liquor. These notices are most emphatic and in some respect of the most sensational nature ever issued in this community. “We have started on Middle Street because we received many complaints concerning this section, but we are not intending to make any example of Middle street and leave the rest of the city undisturbed. We shall serve similar notices wherever we are convinced that things are going wrong.”

50 years ago, 1967
Crews at the Bates Manufacturing Company had to work nearly around the clock yesterday to clear “aquatic plants” from the water racks used to filter water from the Androscoggin River before it is used by the mill. A large amount of grass came down the canal yesterday and went against the racks. Paul W. Bean, agent-engineer of the Union Water Power Co., said that it is not known exactly what the plant is or why it broke loose and floated down the canal.

25 years ago, 1992
Repairs are under way at the YWCA pool in Lewiston after a successful fund-raising campaign to pay for a new ceiling and filter system. Campaign Director Elaine Hackett and YWCA President Deborah Keefe said the organization raised $150,000 in its first phase and contractors are already installing plastic panels over the roof beams to prevent leaking insulation caused by longtime exposure to humid conditions. They have also begun work on the pool’s filtration system which had holes in it. A new filter tank is being installed that will automatically monitor and adjust the water and chemicals.

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