Caribou area From our Files – Week of July 21, 2020

Beth Lacombe, Special to The County
4 years ago

115 Years Ago – July  26, 1905

Church — The moving of the Methodist Parsonage was completed last week. The barn has also been moved and placed on the new parsonage grounds. It is proposed next year to turn the church one quarter round and move it a little to the East, thus placing it in the center of the lot.

New show- – Don’t fail to see the skirt dance “Bibi” in the Opera house starting Friday night.

 100 Years Ago – July  29, 1920

New postmaster Cecil Billington has received his appointment as Postmaster at the Caribou Post Office and will take charge at once.

Plane trip — Miss Bertha Treffrey, who has been here several weeks, has returned to her home in Houlton by plane. Miss Treffrey was the first lady to take a trip in a flying machine.

75 Years Ago – July 26, 1945

New office — Dr. I.H. Clarke has moved his office from the Hackett Building to his new home on High Street, which he recently purchased from Hazel Jacobs.

Thunderstorm — During the thunderstorm last night the thermometer dropped from 90 degrees to 64 degrees. The Victory Restaurant was flooded with water from the street. The Caribou Publishing Company was also flooded by the storm.

50 Years Ago – July  29, 1970

Parade — Despite the fact that Saturday was a record day of the current heat wave (91 degrees) the mile-and-a-half-long, hourlong colorful parade, compromising 78 units, determinedly progressed the uphill grade from the AVR Station to the B&A, as promised. It was one of the most impressive ones ever to be seen in New Sweden.

Relic of yesteryear A summery straw basket mounted on runners was one of the winter modes of  transportation in New Sweden’s early days. It was only one of countless reminders of years ago to be seen at the New Sweden Historical Museum where visible records of the Colony’s origin and growth are displayed.

25 Years Ago – July 26, 1995

Good times and potatoes Mashed potatoes were a big hit (to roll around in, that is) and dozens upon dozens of floats made the parade a wonderful treat. It was all part of the Maine Potato Blossom Festival held this past week in Fort Fairfield. More than 20,000 people attended the special event and proved that family fun is one of the best things that happens all summer.

Swedish celebration An ocean was crossed and lands traversed. Hands joined and voices were raised to celebrate. New Sweden honored its 125th anniversary with many visiting from afar, and instilled a togetherness that completed the circle of heritage.