History of Lewiston, Maine, USA

1785-88 - Many veterans of the Revolution took up lots in "Lewistin."

Town Register of Wayne, Wales, Monmouth, Leeds & Green, Maine, H.E. Mitchell Co, Brunswick,ME 1905

1839 - Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lincoln county. Lewiston lies on the E. side of Androscoggin river, at the falls. The waters of that river descend 47 feet, in the distance of 12 to 15 rods, and produce a valuable hydraulic power. The town extends on the river about 13 miles, and is connected with Minot by a bridge, at the foot of the falls, of 1,000 feet in length. This is a township of good land, with some manufactures of woolen and cotton goods, and a number of saw mills. Wheat crop, 1837, 1,920 bushels. Incorporated, 1795. Population, 1830, 1,549; 1837, 1,737. Lewiston is 28 miles S.W. from Augusta, 34 N. by E. from Portland, and 25 N.W. from Bath.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1851 - Damage at Lewiston Falls
The Portland Advertiser learns that a portion of the Lewiston dam was carried away by the freshet on Monday afternoon. The extent of the injury has not been ascertained.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
May 3, 1851

1854 - Lewiston
Lewiston, a flourishing post-village of Lincoln county, Maine, is situated on the left bank of the Androscoggin river, and on the Androscoggin and Kennebec railroad, 33 miles N. from Portland. The river here has a fall of about 50 feet in 15 rods, affording water privileges equal to the best in New England. The scenery on this portion of the river is exceedingly wild and picturesque. About 700 acres of land adjoining the falls have recently been purchased by a company of capitalists, for the purpose of building up a manufacturing city. A dam across the Androscoggin has already been constructed, and extensive mills erected. A bridge, 1000 feet in length, spans the river immediately below the falls. Four temperance hotels are supported in the village, which also contains several churches, a bank, a valuable public library, a newspaper office, and an academy. From its present prospects there can be no doubt that Lewiston will become one of the largest interior towns of the state. The... Read MORE...

1869 - TELEGRAMS. TERRIFIC HURRICANE AT EASTPORT, ME. Great Destruction of Property and Life. THE STORM IN MAINE.
...LEWISTON, Me., Oct.9.---The Evening Journal has a report of a great freshet on Swift River, in Oxford County, showing a rise of thirty-six feet in twelve hours in that stream, which is a tributary of the Androscoggin. The improvements of the Lewiston Steam Mill Company, for lumbering operations, were destroyed, and their large dam swept away. Scores of inter-vale farms were covered several feet deep with sand. Numerous houses and barns were demolished. The people barely escaped with their lives, and with the children in their arms, to the mountains. The farmers living on the river are impoverished and homeless.
The New York Times
New York, New York
October 10, 1869

1871 - Snapped Like Threads
The Bangor (Me.) Whig reports that, owing to the intense cold, the wires of the Western Union Telegraph line, between that city and Lewiston, were recently broken in nearly fifty places. The wires were put up during the hot weather, last summer, and contracting with the cold, snapped like threads.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1871

1886 - Lewiston
Lewiston is practically the centre of Androscoggin County, and is nearly so geographically. It is situated upon the Androscoggin River, which separates it from Auburn on the west and south. Greene bounds it on the north, Webster and Lisbon on the east. The soil is largely a clay loam, but a gravelly loam on the high lands. The surface is quite hilly, but there are no lofty eminences. David's Mountain, near Bates' College, and Mitchell's Hill are each nearly 500 feet above the sea, and are the chief eminences. The former has its name from Mr. David Davis, whose heirs have given a lot on its summit to the college for an observatory. It is near the valley at the fails of the Androscoggin, in which goes on the principal business of the two cities of Lewiston and Auburn, and its summit affords a wide circle of varied and pleasing landscape. The falls of the Androscoggin at this place furnish attractive views from several points. On the river road, about one mile above Barker's Mills and... Read MORE...

1891 - Don't Look
A Lewiston, Maine policeman has had two hotel keepers arrested on a charge of offering him $200 a month not to see anything. The logical inference from this is that the Lewiston policemen come high.
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, North Carolina
September 1, 1891

1892 - Justice?
James Reiker, who hasn't got a red, has been in jail nearly four years in Lewiston, Maine, for a debt of $117.15, which he couldn't pay. But he has the satisfaction of knowing that under the law of that State it has cost the fellow who sent him there $400. $100 a year, to pay his board.
The Wilmington Morning Star
Wilmington, North Carolina
March 15, 1892

1895 - Lewiston
Lewiston, the most populous city of Androscoggin co., Me., is situated on the E. (left) bank of the Androscoggin River, opposite Auburn, 35 miles N. of Portland, and about 30 miles S.W. of Augusta. It is at the junction of several branches of the Maine Central Railroad with the Auburn & Lewiston Railroad, which connects with the Grand Trunk Railroad. The river here falls about 60 feet, affords abundant water-power, and presents picturesque scenery. Two iron railroad bridges and 2 other bridges cross the river at this place. Lewiston is the second city of Maine in population, and derives its prosperity chiefly from manufactures and trade. It is the seat of Bates College (Free-Will Baptist), which was organized in 1863 and has 11 professors. It has 12 churches, a public library, 2 national banks, 3 savings-banks, and a high school. A dam, or system of dams, costing about $1,000,000, has been constructed here across the river, the water of which is conveyed to the mills by a canal. The... Read MORE...

1896 - Bicycles and Business. Hard Times Attributed in Part to the Wheeling Craze.
Now the bicycle is accused of responsibility for a lot of hard times in various lines of business. The theatrical man stands in front of his showhouse and swears as he sees the men and maidens wheeling by. The confectioner stands in his doorway and looks into his window full of unsold candy and says the bicycles are ruining his business. The clothier says he can't sell half as many fine clothes as he did because people wear bicycle suits more than half the time. The cigar man says his trade is suffering because everybody rides a bicycle and not one in 20 smokers smokes awheel. The livery stable man and the riding academy man grind their teeth in rage and declare that business is going or has gone to the demnition bowwows. The shoe man says he can't sell anything but cheap bicycle shoes now. The hat manufacturer says his order for fine hats are off one-half, and all he can sell is cheap caps, in which there is no money. Everybody is growling except the bicycle man, and the bicycle... Read MORE...

1900 - Wm. Reed's Tragic Death. A Horrible Fatality in a Lewiston Stable Friday Evening.
A Surcharged Incandescent Electric Light Wire Pours Forth Its Fatal Voltage.

The Poor Victim Found in a Pool of Water with the Sparks Playing About Him.

His Hand Burned to a Crisp and His Clothing Ready to Burst into Flame.

William Reed met a sudden and violent death in Lewiston early Friday evening. While attempting to light an incandescent electric lamp in the stable of Thomas McNamara on Lincoln street, he received an electric shock that sent him senseless to the floor. And there alone in the darkness his life quickly burned out. Presently, Mr. McNamara, who was near by, smelled the burning flesh and clothes and thinking his stable was on fire, had an alarm of fire sent in from box 35. Then followed an investigation which resulted in the finding of the body of the unfortunate man which was removed to the undertaking rooms of A. E. McDonough.

Reed is the second victim to be claimed in the two cities within a week by the deadly live wire. The facts in this last case... Read MORE...

1900 - STILL A MYSTERY. Jessie Cobb's Murderer and His Motive Are Not Yet Revealed. LEWISTON POLICE ON THE ALERT. Several of Dead Girls Friends In Sabbattus Interviewed. WHERE IS FRED BROOKS?
The veil which covers the crime connected with the Jessie Cobb case, has not yet been raised. There is no longer any doubt but that it was murder, but now the people are interested to know who the murderer was and the motive for committing the crime. It is quite generally known that Miss Cobb had several gentleman friends in Lewiston, and while perhaps suspicion points to no one in particular, there are one or two that the police are anxious to find, and learn what they know about the case.

That more of the facts concerning Jessie Cobb might be presented to the public, a Sun man visited Sabattus yesterday and interviewed several of her acquaintances at that place. All appeared to be interested in the case and were very willing to talk. In some instances they were quite eager to learn the latest news concerning the death of Miss Cobb and asked if the police were making any great stir to solve the mystery. All who were seen Thursday by a Sun reporter, said that they felt confident... Read MORE...


Read more about Jessie COBB

1900 - A STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
TO-DAY'S LEWISTON AND AUBURN CONVERSATION.

A STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY – A Lewiston woman tells the following story of an experience on a Lewiston city street, suggestive, yet humorous in its climax, but worth the telling for the revelation it is, of the conditions altogether too prevalent and in the utmost deplorable. The woman in question, not “young and giddy,” but well settled down in years, was passing down Park street last Sunday evening a little before seven o'clock. She had nearly reached the church door when two men came along. One, as she neared, spoke naturally. “Good evening.” Thinking he was one of the church attendants, she returned the salutation. Upon this, the other man dropped behind and the first speaker stepped along beside her, continuing the conversation with an inquiry if she could tell him where he could find any good lodging for the night. This might have been embarrasing, but the woman was quick witted and answered, “Why, there are plenty of good lodgings to be... Read MORE...

1902 - They Held Hands. Rustic Couple From the Country Create a Whole Lot of Amusement on Lewiston Streets.
They were from the country – that – no one who saw the rustic couple would question for a minute. The fellow who was possibly six feet in height, wore high water pants, had long hair, with a sprinkling now and then of the filamentous structures, stooped a trifle, wore a wide rimmed straw hat, had a red face, prominent nose and peaked chin.

The young lady, who to say the least, was perhaps twenty-three years of age was a little more tastefully dressed than her better half. For head gear she had on a hat, that somewhat resembled a horse bonnet, the only thing lacking, being holes to put her ears through. Her dress was made of the old Mother Hubbard Style with plenty of cloth and a long train. It was rather loose, but on the whole was a fairly good fit. To say the least the couple was a typical one – and without doubt right off the farm.

Undoubtedly they had come to the city to see the sights. They wandered 'round the town, until they were tired and then took the car for Lake Grove ... Read MORE...

1902 - THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM - Both Sides of the Question Presented by One Who Has Been Mistress and Maid - The Golden Rule If Applied Would Solve the Problem
(Writer for The Sun.)

“Wanted – A capable American house girl.” Such is the tenor of many “want” ads running in the newspapers at this time of year throughout the country. And, indeed all through the year one is met often with the inquiry, “Do you know a good American girl I can get?” As long as there are homes, this domestic problem will be of no small interest...

Many families are obliged to keep a girl; many others prefer to keep one; in fact even in Maine where so many women do their own housework, especially in the rural districts, efficient house girls are actual necessities. And yet, good American help is very scarce... Why are there so few American girls doing housework? Why do they prefer mill work or shop work even, and especially clerkships and office work – anything, in fact, to housework?

It cannot be on the financial score. To be sure girls in other occupations handle more money, but the average girl cannot clear as much as can the average house girl. A good... Read MORE...

1903 - THE ODLIN SLOT MACHINES - Taken from Him by the Deputy Sheriffs Yesterday to Be Destroyed Today.
The ex-city marshal Odlin's got a bunch of nickel-in-the-slot machines at his home on Newman street. These machines were seized by him while he was city marshal. They were initially stored in the Lewiston city building, but as Odlin was nearing completion of his term of office, he removed them to his home. The machines have been confiscated and will be destroyed. Odlin told Sheriff Cummings that even though "the law states that the slot machines shall be destroyed," once Odlin had left office he felt he "had no right to destroy the machines as he was not holding office, at the present time."
The Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
Tuesday morning, February 24, 1903

Read more about Frederick Leighton ODLIN

1903 - U-No Beer
Sheriff Cummings has ordered the U-No beer joints with lunch rooms combined to sell nothing between the hours of twelve Saturday night and twelve Sunday night, save food, coffee or tea. The proprietors of these places are not allowed to sell a bottle of ginger ale or a glass of Moxie on the Sabbath. They feel that this is a bit severe, but still are inclined to say nothing.

The Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
Monday morning, March 23, 1903

1903 - WONDERFUL ELECTRICITY. City Hall Has Been Thoroughly Wired and Everything is as Brilliant as Daylight.
The work of wiring City Hall was completed last evening and the lights were turned on for the first time. The large chandelier, in the center of the hall has been removed and a notable improvement made.

The hall was never more thoroughly lighted than last evening when the electrician in charge of the wiring pressed the button and the lights went on. Every part of the work is complete and the building is now thoroughly up-to-date so far as lighting is concerned. The Lewiston and Auburn Electric Co. booth is not yet completed, though employees of the company are working hard every day. The color scheme green and white is an attractive one and the company's electrical exhibition during State Fair week will, it is said, be nothing short of wonderful.
The Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
August 28, 1903

1903 - HILL TRAGEDY. The Son is Alive and Resting Comfortably - An Operation Will be Performed. THE OLD FATHER BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INSANE.
The Details of the Sad Affair Which Caused a Sensation Yesterday Morning.

A most shocking double tragedy occurred in Barkerville yester-day morning at 6.35, when Daniel W. Hill shot his son and then turned the weapon on himself and sent a bullet crashing through his brain resulting in instant death. The son, Daniel Hill, will probably live, although his condition is very critical.

Daniel Hill, the son is fifty-two years of age and has a milk route in Lewiston. He was at the breakfast table with his back turned toward the parlor door eating his breakfast preparatory for his drive in town. Ernest Witham the hired man was seated at his left and Mrs. Emma Knowles at the right. Daniel Hill senior was in his room just off the
parlor. It was nothing unusual for him not to take an early breakfast with the rest of the family. The trio at the table were chatting busily, when the parlor door suddenly opened and D. W. Hill appeared with a revolver in his hand. He walked directly behind... Read MORE...

1904 - Passenger Train Wrecked
Lewiston, Maine, Sept. 27. - Three are dead, nine others seriously injured and some twenty more persons cut and bruised as the result of the wrecking of passenger train No. 24 on the Maine Central railroad, which ran into an open switch, and crashed into a freight train opposite the State fair grounds, two and a half miles east of this city, late yesterday afternoon...
The Charlotte News
Charlotte, North Carolina
September 27, 1904

1905 - A Lewiston man is breaking his frisky young colt by a novel method.
He mounts his bicycle and leads his colt up and down the street as fast or as slow as he desires.
Lewiston Daily Sun
Lewiston, Maine
May 21, 1905

1909 - Prisoner Escaped.
During the breakfast hour at the Lewiston police station, Monday, J. J. McKenney, jr., told Officer Tuttle that he wanted to telephone friends to get him out. Mr. Tuttle, who is always obliging, took McKenna into the machine room.

But McKenna didn't stop to telephone. He made a dash thru the Park street door and was soon out of sight. Officer Tuttle started in pursuit. Deputy Marshal Pettengill came out of his office and sent two officers up Lisbon street to head McKenna off.

It seems that the prisoner ran thru the alleys and entered Shailler's restaurant on Lisbon street, near Ash, by the back door. Just as he started out again, Officer Vaughn grabbed him.

In court McKenna, with fire in his eyes, pleaded not guilty to intoxication. He said he was feeling bad last week and Sunday afternoon applied for admission to St. Mary's hospital. He hadn't been in the office but a few minutes when the police entered and took him.

City Marshal Callier testified that he had a... Read MORE...


Read more about James J MCKENNA

1911 - May 22 - The temperature at Lewiston ME soared to 101 degrees. It was the hottest temperature ever recorded in New England during the month of May.

WeatherForYou.com

1911 - Senator Frye Dies in Maine - Former President Pro Tem. of National Body Passes Away in Old Home
Lewiston, Maine, Aug. 9 - United States Senator William Pierce Frye died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Helen White, here yesterday. Mrs. White and Mrs. Alice Briggs, another daughter, were at his bedside. Although he had been ill a long time, death came suddenly. he was 81 years old...
Harrisburg Telegraph
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
August 9, 1911

1916
Lewiston, a city of Androscoggin co., Me., is situated on the E. (left) bank of the Androscoggin River, opposite Auburn, 35 miles N. of Portland, and about 30 miles SW. of Augusta. It is on the Maine Central, the Grand Trunk and the Portland and Rumford Falls Rs. The river, here crossed by several bridges, falls about 60 feet, affords abundant water-power, and presents picturesque scenery. Lewiston is the second city of Maine in population, and derives ita prosperity chiefly from manufactures and trade, of which the manufacture of cottons and woollen goods takes first position and gives employment to upward of 7000 people. The woollen-mills produce fancy cassimeres, beaver cloths, meltons, repellants, etc. Among the other articles made in Lewiston are leather-belting, looms, machinery for cotton- mills, carriages, foundry-products, etc. Lewiston is the seat of Bates College ( Free Baptist), founded in 1863. Pop. in 1880, 19,083 ; in 1890, 21,701 ; in 1900, 23,761.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1936 - Lewiston-New Auburn Bridge Breaks in Two
136 DEAD, 200,000 HOMELESS AND $300,000,000 DAMAGE IN FLOOD
Estimate Eight Thousand Homeless in Maine
Lewiston-New Auburn Bridge Breaks in Two
The Most Important Bridge in Maine Today
Wild Androscoggin Thunders Against The North Bridge
City Without Street Lights Tonight – Lewiston Pumping Station Flooded Out – Boil Water for 20 Minutes Warns Health Officer
– Local Units 103d Infantry on Duty
No Announcement on Bridge Reopening
Lewiston's Homeless Placed At Over 400
Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
March 20, 1936

2023 - Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a foodie, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Lewiston. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this charming city:
Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary: If you're a birdwatcher or simply enjoy a peaceful stroll in nature, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is the place to be. This 357-acre preserve offers hiking trails, beautiful views, and a variety of bird species to observe.

Bates College Museum of Art: Art lovers will appreciate the Bates College Museum of Art. It features a diverse collection of contemporary and historical art, including works by renowned artists. Best of all, admission is free.

Lewiston Heritage Trails: Explore Lewiston's history by taking a walk along the Lewiston Heritage Trails. These self-guided tours showcase the city's architecture, landmarks, and fascinating stories from its past.

Lewiston Riverwalk: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Androscoggin River on the Lewiston Riverwalk. It's a beautiful spot to take in scenic views, have a picnic, or simply unwind.

Baxter Brewing Co.: Craft beer enthusiasts will want to visit Baxter Brewing Co. This local brewery offers tours and... Read MORE...