Spectators near Strathglass Park in Rumford watch black smoke rise from the Waldo Street fire that took place on August 2, 1923.

The fire was first discovered at 5:10 p.m. by the Majestic Theater’s stage carpenter, Eli Roy. With the help of the Lewiston and Auburn fire department, the flames were put out by 11:00 p.m., but not before destroying many businesses and tenement buildings.

Prior to the fire, Waldo Street was a bustling residential and secondary business district for the town.