the auburn colony was founded in 1877 by a group of businessmen from auburn, "for the purpose of securing the material advantage of society, health, and recreation." twenty small gothic victorian cottages were built on the property they acquired, which were tragically destroyed by fire in 1899, although the two community buildings survived. the colony was rebuilt, with a reduced membership, resulting in construction ten -story shingle style houses. only three have known architects, all credited to the lewiston firm of coombs & gibbs. in addition to the already-mentioned facilities, the association has a salt-water swimming pool and a small beach.