100 years ago, 1916
Criticism is being made in the way the big washout on the road to Lewiston is being left, and Mechanic Falls people who wish to travel on that road are asking why something isn’t being done. “It was over a month ago that the washout occurred,” said a man today who lives near the scene, and yet nothing except the fixing of the culvert down In the bottom of the hole has been done. Tons and tons of earth will be required to fill the chasm which is large enough to deposit a house in and none has been hauled as yet. All traffic towards Lewiston has to be made by the way of Harris Hill, which makes a much longer route and very inconvenient.

50 years ago, 1966
Approximately 20,000 persons enjoyed the Fourth of July program at the Fairgrounds Monday. Including the half-hour-long fireworks which was witnessed by countless others surrounding the area. Officials noted that countless numbers of vehicles were parked about the fairgrounds. Spectators gathered in the bandstand area which was nearly packed. More persons witnessed the display from positions about the racetrack oval. Large numbers of spectators were spotted in the Northwood Park Shopping Center parking lot. Unusually large groups of vehicles were spotted on various streets and roads throughout the Twin City area, particularly along the North River Road, Stetson Road and in the area of the reservoir.

25 years ago, 1991
Workers digging up a service station parking lot in Auburn yesterday unearthed the tombstone of a woman who died 134 years ago, prior to the start of the Civil War. The stone, bearing the name of Sebrina R. Jones, was found about a foot-and-a-half underground at Cook’s Automotive Services at 146 Turner St. In block letters, at the top of the white granite stone, the inscription reads, “SEBRINA R., wife of William Jones. Died April 5, 1857, Age 30 years, 10 mos.” Proprietor Jim Cook speculates the grave marker was manufactured at the site, where once a monument maker may have been in business. “Obviously, this is not a graveyard and never was,” Cook said.

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