100 years ago, 1918

Accompanying the story are some pictures that ought to prove very gratifying to the people of Lewiston and Auburn, and for that matter, the whole of this part of Maine. They show the work of tearing down the old exhibition building at the fairgrounds — the building that is to be replaced by one that shall be a credit to the fair and to these cities. It should have been done years ago.

50 years ago, 1968

A Boy Scout leader was honored Saturday evening at the 49th annual Fellowship Banquet for Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America, held at the Hasty Memorial Armory in Auburn. Receiving the Silver Beaver award, which is presented to outstanding adult leaders in the Scouting program, was Lawrence Mennealy of Larrabee Road, Lewiston, who has over 20 years of service including 14 as Scoutmaster.

25 years ago, 1993

Imagine going to Bates Mill to tour a textile museum, attend college courses, work out at a health club, snack at a food court or shop at outlet stores. Imagine working there — in a professional office, fledgling small business or manufacturing operation — while your preschooler attends an in-house day care center. All those scenarios could become realities in a few years, according to the newly released Bates Mill Complex Redevelopment Study. At the city’s request, Butts Financial Group Inc. of Windham conducted the feasibility study to assess various long-term uses that might be made of the Canal Street mill. An 11-building complex constructed in stages between about 1850 and 1907, Bates Mill was once Lewiston’s largest taxpayer and Maine’s largest employer, with 6,500 workers producing world-renowned textiles.

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