100 Years Ago: 1922

Weeks of distributing pipe for the new 16-inch water main, which is to be laid from Lake Auburn to the city proper, began on Monday and those living on the high districts of the city will be pleased when this main and the new pumping station are in operation. These improvements will do away with what is now a serious defect in the water services of these sections. In many houses it is impossible to draw water on the second floor of a house, when a faucet is open downstairs.

50 Years Ago: 1972

A puppet sewing session for the First Auburn Senior Citizens at the First Universalist Church, Elm St., Auburn will be held today from 1 to 3 p.m.

25 Years Ago: 1997

L.L. Bean’s newest retail store promises to be a place where kids, not parents, will be climbing the walls while their parents shop.

L.L. Kids, set to open Aug. 1, features a climbing wall with sensors that monitor the weight and speed of young climbers. The treadmill-like surface’s stability is adjusted according to the ease with which the children scale the structure. In addition to 2 hiking ramps to test shoes and a simulated bike path, the rest of the store is packed with clothing for toddlers to teen-agers. The outdoors outfitter has offered children’s clothing since 1993, but the new store is the first devoted exclusively to kids’ merchandise.

“It is difficult to find good outdoor clothes for kids that are high quality, warm, dry and comfy.” said Mike Verville, director of retail stores for L.L. Bean. “We’ve filled that void.” Some 60,000 people are expected to go through the two-level store during its opening weekend.

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