100 years ago, 1914
The strip of land between the grounds of the Maine State Fair and the Maine Central railroad track and extending to the Barker Mill stream has been purchased by the State Fair Association and will be used for the improvement of the fair grounds. It has been suggested that it could be used to provide a suitable parking place for automobiles. The proper handling of the autos is rapidly becoming a grave problem at the State fair, as it is at all other places where great crowds gather. The custom of the past few years has been to park them inside the track and in the grove on the easterly side of the grounds, between the cottages and the track.

50 years ago, 1964
Lewiston homeowners who hope for better water service during hot spells, more progressively a problem each year, may not be getting any results in the near future as city officials first thought, it now appears. The City of Lewiston has still heard no word from the Federal government on an application for Accelerated Public Works aid to get the city’s water improvement program underway. Public Works Director George Maher said the need for more water to Lewiston from Lake Auburn is evident. Early this summer, a dry spell resulted in a strict water ban on outside use, and presently, homeowners cannot use hoses more than two hours a day.

25 years ago, 1989
Although the W.S. Libbey Co. is closing shop on Mill Street, Lewiston, business is so good the president is looking for workers. Armand J. Favreau, president and owner of the Libbey company, said the move from the 100-plus year-old mill will not result in any layoffs. Rather, an expansion of a manufacturing facility he now owns on Commercial Street will make operations more efficient, Favreau said. The move will be completed within a year to 18 months after work begins on the Libbey Mill rehabilitation. Favreau purchased the Libbey company in September 1987 from the Libbey family. The five-story complex on Mill Street, however, is not efficient in today’s manufacturing climate, Favreau said.