Houlton area From our Files – Week of November 23, 2020

Beth Lacombe, Special to The County
3 years ago

100 Years Ago – Dec. 2, 1920

Woods workers’ wages Lumber operators in Aroostook County have just announced a cut in the rates of pay for workers in the woods from $90 to $50 a month.

New owner — Alton C. Titcomb has purchased the Houlton Ice and Coal Company and will take possession Dec. 1.

75 Years Ago – Nov.  29, 1945

Electric appliances are hot sellers — Another story of eagerness on the part of the public to buy new electric appliances, turned up last week. They were at the Houlton Water Company this time. Two new refrigerators arrived on the floor where they remained only 29 minutes before they were grabbed by customers.

Downtown will twinkle — It is heartening news to learn that the Houlton Water Company, despite the trials under which it is operating now, is planning to make a supreme effort to respond to the wishes of merchants and provide Christmas lighting for the business section which has been sadly missed the past few years.

50 Years Ago – Dec. 2, 1970

New home for Dunn’s — Construction is well underway on the new home for the Dunn Furniture Company. The new building to cost upwards of $255,000 is being erected on the North Road, opposite Grant’s Shopping Center and adjacent to Interstate 95. The one story building with 30,000 square feet of area, will be open for business early next spring. It will be the most modern, and most spacious furniture store North of Bangor.

Race track The Sno-Rovers Club in Hodgen recently completed renovation of the stock car race track on Calais Road. The track was widened, and the turns banked in preparation for snowmobile racing this winter.

25 Years Ago – Nov. 29, 1995

Help make derby race a landmark event for the town It’s no soap! The Northern Maine elimination run for the Soap Box Derby will be coming to town in June. Through local support and hard work, Houlton will be attracting one hundred entrants plus their families and support teams to town with many coming the day before the race as well. This means fun, and business for Houlton.

Radio station may be sold A Houlton based group has offered to purchase the now dormant WHOU, according to court documents. According to a notice of sale an offer has been made by Two Tall Entertainment to buy the station for $12,500, compared to the market value of $11,000. Two Tall Entertainment is headed by Paul Cleary, a former employee of WHOU.