LewistonAuburn

LewistonAuburn is the paired urban area that comprises the cities of Lewiston and Auburn in Androscoggin County, western Maine, United States. The two cities lie on opposite banks of the Androscoggin River and are connected by several bridges, forming a continuous urban core commonly referred to as Lewiston-Auburn or L/A. As one of Maine’s larger metropolitan areas outside the Portland region, it serves as a regional center for housing, commerce, education, and healthcare.

The area’s history centers on the river and mill industry. Settled in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Lewiston and Auburn developed as textile and, later, paper mill towns. Lewiston was incorporated as a city in 1860 and Auburn in 1844. The cities attracted a diverse workforce, including a substantial French-Canadian population in the 19th and 20th centuries. In more recent decades the economy diversified toward education, healthcare, and services, with mills closing or repurposing.

Major institutions include Bates College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1855 in Lewiston, and Central Maine Medical Center, a regional healthcare provider. The region remains an educational and healthcare hub, with public schools and various private institutions supporting the local economy.

Cultural and recreational offerings include the Great Falls Balloon Festival at Great Falls Park in Lewiston and a growing arts scene centered in downtown Lewiston and Auburn. The Androscoggin River provides parks, trails, and water-related activities, contributing to the area’s quality of life.

Transportation and demographics: The Lewiston-Auburn area is connected to major roadways, including proximity to Interstate 95 and the Maine Turnpike, with regional public transit provided by L/A Transit. The community is characterized by a diverse population and has a notable Somali immigrant presence that has contributed to local businesses and culture.