100 years ago, 1915
An important step has been taken by Mr. Washburn of the New Jack & Hartley Furniture Company of Lewiston — a step that shows confidence in the future of the retail business of these cities. He has leased, from the owners, the entire fourth floor of the Great Department Store building, with the exception of that occupied by the restaurant. This will give him practically two entire floors of the big building, an additional 20,000 square feet of floor space.

50 years ago, 1965
Safe crackers are at work in Lewiston again. Two such incidents were reported to authorities this morning. Safes were smashed open at the Beaulieu Moving and Storage Company and the Cloutier Lumber Company, both located in a large building on the Highland Spring Road. Det. Capt. Laurier Morin said the culprits entered the building by an open rear window. Axes were used to break open the safes. In order to get from one firm to the other, a wall was knocked down.

25 years ago, 1990
Lewiston Mayor James P. Howaniec met Friday with the owners of Lewiston Raceways to urge them to keep the track open, and said he is considering testifying at the Legislature’s hearing on racing dates Monday in Augusta. Owner Charles E. Day has said he will not open the raceway until the confusion over racing dates has been cleared up. Because of charges of collusion between the Maine Harness Racing Commission and Lewiston Raceways, dates for the 1990 season are expected to be set by the Legislature after a public hearing before its Agriculture Committee. Howaniec said he is getting involved in the situation because the city is concerned about possible harm to the harness racing industry.

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