100 years ago: 1925

“At the meeting of the executive committee of Bates College, Saturday, it was voted to ratify the proposition of the Franklin Co. for an exchange and purchase of land to make complete for the college the entire square of land bounded by College street, Russell street, Central avenue and Campus avenue.

“Some years ago there was considerable land on Russell street in this square not owned by the college. Much of this was acquired by purchase. But there remained in the possession of the Franklin company a strip of land 80 feet wide and running some 300 or more feet on Bardwell street, from Russell. Also the Franklin Co. owned a large block of land beyond Garcelon Field, bounded by Bardwell street, Russell street and Central avenue.”

“Feeling the need of these two pieces of land to complete the entire square of the campus and to enable the college to increase the size of Garcelon Field, negotiations were entered into with the Franklin Co. to secure this land. …

“The campus now exceeds 60 acres in extent.”

50 years ago: 1975

Editorial: “The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of throw-away plastic bottles for soda pop and beer, while expressing regret at taking the action.

“The unusual situation is the result of what appears to be a conflict between the 1906 Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act. The latter ordered federal agencies to consider environmental impact in making decisions.

“The FDA admitted ‘adverse environmental impacts’ and waste of energy through the use of throw-away plastic containers, but said it had no legal authority to prevent their use. It invited any citizen to ‘obtain judicial review’ by filing suit. That’s inviting a challenge, all right. And there likely will be a champion of the ecology ready to step forward.”

25 years ago: 2000

“NEW GLOUCESTER — Voters on Wednesday swiftly approved a zoning change that will help pave the way for redevelopment of the former Pineland Center.

“About 45 residents approved creating two zones within the 800-acre state complex that Libra Foundation of Portland is negotiating to buy. Attorney Craig Denekas said the charitable foundation’s intent is to renovate and renew the sprawling complex by June.

“‘This is an historic moment for this town, a revitalization to benefit this town in the years to come,’ said Lawrence Zuckerman, a member of the Pineland Conversion Committee. He was chairman of the Pineland Reuse Study and helped craft the zoning amendment.”

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