100 years ago, 1914
A more dramatic scene than the entrance of Theodore Roosevelt upon the stage of Lewiston City Hall, Tuesday afternoon, could not be imagined. A greater reception of riotous applause never greeted a speaker. (Several dignitaries) were at the rear of the stage, but as yet unobserved by the great audience in the hall. Then Gardner (Halbert P. Gardner, Progressive Party candidate for Governor of Maine), turning about, said, “I want you to know the man who, God sparing his life, will be the next President of the United States,“ and Theodore Roosevelt walked down the center aisle between the delegates upon the platform. This almost caught the crowd unawares. It was perhaps half a minute before they fully realized his presence Then, as if of one body, they all stood, cheered and threw their hats into the air. Roosevelt, with his characteristic smile, bowed to right and left.

50 years ago, 1964
The French Canadians arrived in Lewiston in grand style today, accompanied by Quebec Mayor Wilfrid Hamel in a fiddlin’, song-fest train ride from Danville. The train’s passengers, who boarded a modern Canadian National Railroad car at the Danville station, were representative of the predominantly French community. Music was provided by the Roland Boileau of 115 Wood St., Lewiston, who fiddled the make-believe immigrants into the city. Most of the group joined in with the songs, especially the Robert Biron family of Lewiston, who were selected to represent the immigration of Canadians to Lewiston. It was the second day of the week-long Lewiston Summer Festival.

25 years ago, 1989
Economic development officials today will formally break ground on the $1.13 million Turnpike Industrial Park, an 89-acre complex scheduled to be converted into 23 building lots over the next three years. The park will be located alongside South Park, off Cottage Road, to the south of Maine Turnpike Exit 13. The park is the second recent development being constructed in Lewiston since the city established South Park about three years ago.

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