Read more about Jan. 6, 1964, in the SunJournal.com archives.

100 Years Ago: 1923

The Shrine Club committee No 2 met at the Kora Temple last night to make further arrangements for the party Friday night. Chairman Cook reports everything is progressing finely and predicts there will be a “merry evening  at Hollywood.”

50 Years Ago: 1973

The $3 million Augusta Civic Center, billed as the largest and most versatile convention center north of Boston, will be dedicated here Sunday. The sprawling, multi-level complex of various-sized meeting rooms and auditoriums will be open to the public during the evening dedication, attended by Gov. Kenneth M. Curtis, University of Maine Chancellor Donald R. McNeil, and local Government and business leaders.

Planners tried to “get away from the basketball palace image,” said a center spokesman, who expressed hope that the multi-purpose facility would attract events which have otherwise gone to Portland, Bangor and out of state.

City Manager. Paul G. Poulin said income from rentals will cover the center’s expenses during 1973, and the proposed municipal budget will not include, as originally estimated, a request for a special appropriation to meet operating and maintenance costs.

Close to 50 events have already been booked for this year, said Augusta radio executive Paul McClay, who is acting as a public relations consultant for the center. The center’s 25,800-square complex of various-sized meeting capacity of up to 8,024, and can accommodate sports events and various pageants, concerts and conventions.

The Capitol Board of Trade, an independent businessmen’s association, put up the money to purchase the Civic Center site at Interstate 95 and the Belgrade Road then deeded it to the city for $1. The board is continuing to buy adjacent land, which is currently being developed as a major commercial area.

25 Years Ago: 1998

“Seasonal Affective Disorder” will be the subject of a Horizons/55 program from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Senior Health Information Center at the Lewiston Mall. Jeralyn Maurer will be the speaker. The program is free.

The material used in Looking Back is produced exactly as it originally appeared although misspellings and errors may be corrected.