100 years ago, 1917
An act granting a new charter to Auburn, one which, if adopted, will make sweeping changes in the city’s form of government was introduced in the Maine Senate Tuesday morning by Hastings of Androscoggin. This act provides for a council of five — one from each ward — over which the mayor, who of course is chosen by the city-at-large, is to preside as president ex-officio. Members of this council will perform also the duties of municipal officers and overseers of the poor, and shall serve without pay. Then there shall be a superintending school committee, composed of the mayor and ten others — two from each ward. And listen to this — “no person shall be ineligible to membership on account of sex!” Augusta has an act providing for one woman on its school board — and now Auburn proposes to do better than Augusta.

50 years ago, 1967
(Photo Caption) SITE OF NEW PALMER KING MOTOR CO. PLANT — This large apartment building on Lincoln Street was ripped apart today to make way for a new Palmer King Co. Inc. building. It will be a one-floor, 60- by 80-foot concrete block structure, due to be completed by June. The firm is currently located at 173 Middle St., in the Urban Renewal area.

25 years ago, 1992
Run-off from Saturday’s storm resulted in water damage to stores at Auburn Plaza Sunday, forcing them to remain closed. Lt. Raymond Levesque of the Auburn Fire Dept. said water running along the back wall came through the floor at the Dress Barn, T.J. Maxx and J.C. Bushwackers. The fire department was called at 12:03 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters spent the next hour helping maintenance crews from Davis Landscape to squeegee the water. A manager at Hoyts Cinemas said the movie theaters did not receive any water damage.

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