Historic Postcards of Auburn, Maine

AUBURN MAINE LIBRARY RPPC 1937

In 1890, the Auburn Board of Trade charged a committee to plan a library for the city of Auburn. The trustees rented two rooms in the Elm Block, above the Auburn Trust Company, and Miss Annie Prescott was appointed librarian. The library opened for business on August 21, 1891.

New Wing of Androscoggin County Court House

At the rim of the cove ceiling in the newly restored courtroom in the Androscoggin County Courthouse in Auburn are the words:  “Fidelity, Ethics, Morals, Truth, Justice, Mercy, equity and Right” Embossed with gold leaf, the words, along with four State of Maine seals, comprise a pattern that merges with stenciled leaves above the windows and delicate tracery painted on the walls.  A skylight or “dome” highlight the ceiling, planned when the original building was designed and built over 140 years ago.  The principal courtroom, now gleaming and restored to its original state, has a high ceiling with fluted columns between large arched windows on each wall.  The room is the highlight of a handsome brick building with a mansard roof.

Auburn, Maine:  Jimmy's Diner and Texaco Gas Station Vintage Postcard 

“Jimmy’s” Gas Station and Dinner located at 150 Minot Avenue in Auburn, Maine near Exit 12 of the Maine Turnpike. According to Diner Hunter, the gasoline station was opened in 1928 by James LaRue and “Jimmy’s Diner” followed later, possibly as early as 1934 and was open until the early 1980's. 

Auburn, Maine: Seavey's Ice Cream Coke Sign Antique Postcard 

Auburn, Maine: Seavey's Ice Cream Coke Sign Antique Postcard 

Edward Little High School Auburn, Maine

Edward Little High School is a public high school in Auburn, Maine, United States that was first established as Lewiston Falls Academy in 1835. Philanthropist Edward Little donated 9 acres (3.6 ha) and considerable money to the academy, which was named in his honor. The school is now situated on a 56.25-acre (22.76 ha) tract of land overlooking the city from the top of Goff Hill in Auburn Heights

The North Bridge by Moonlight Auburn, Maine

In 1823, the Lewiston & Auburn were farming communities separated by an often unnavigable, Androscoggin River. James Goff Jr.’s store and post office at Court and Main streets dominated Goff’s Corner in what is now Auburn. Opposite that on the river was the law office of Edward Little. Above Little’s on Main Street (then called Water Street) was Barker Brooks’ blacksmith shop and below it was Orra Raynes’ Millinery Shop. The Elm House occupied a large portion of lower Court Street. On the Lewiston side of the Androscoggin stood Josiah Little’s grist mill. Dean Frye built his home beside the mill near the water, but most of the businesses and residences in Lewiston Falls Village were located at the junction of Main and Sabattus streets, then called Lowell’s Corner.

A ferry was operated by Paul Hildreth beginning in 1771. Proposed as early as 1807, a toll bridge would finally connect the towns in 1823. 

The Great Flood of 1987 at Lewiston-Auburn, Maine

On April 1, the worst flooding in Maine in half a century was brought about by melting snows and driving rain. Entire sections of communities along the Androscoggin were cut off as bridges washed out and roads were submerged.