115 Years Ago – Aug. 22, 1907
On his way to New York — J.B. Halgren of New Sweden started Monday for New York on a business trip. Before coming home he will make a visit in Connecticut; he will also visit in Newport, Rhode Island, the Swedish armored cruiser Fylgia, which brought Prince Wilhelm, grandson of King Oscar, to this country.
Moving back to Caribou — Mr. and Mrs. John Hale, who moved from this place to Massachusetts seven years ago, returned to Caribou last week, and will again reside here, having decided that this town is about as good as there is anywhere (good judgment). Mr. Hale will soon open a new blacksmith shop; and, as he has had a wide experience in that line of work, will undoubtedly meet with good success.
100 Years Ago – Aug. 24, 1922
Inspector in town — An employee of the State Highway Department was in Caribou Saturday, noting the automobiles which were being driven with faulty light systems, some cars only having one headlight while some were minus the tail light. The inspector was very gentlemanly, giving the drivers some timely advice — that the faulty electric light system be remedied.
Raising the building — G.O. Smith has placed concrete blocks under his store, having raised the building several feet in order to conform to the new street levels.
75 Years Ago – Aug. 21, 1947
Crowned Miss American Legion of 1947 — Miss Faustina Cote was crowned Miss American Legion of 1947 at the VJ celebration at Houlton. Twelve candidates from other Aroostook communities were contestants. Miss Maine Potato Blossom Queen of 1947, Betty Green of Presque Isle, and Miss Faustina Cote will be the honored guests at the Houlton Air Show Saturday and Sunday of this week. Miss Cote also will lead a Labor Day parade in Mars Hill.
Major improvements made at Colby Starch Company — The Colby Cooperative Starch Company, one of Caribou’s neighboring organizations situated in the Town of Woodland, deserves recognition for its growth since its founding 10 years ago by citizens in this area who banded together to provide a means to serve farmers in that area. A new oil burner which supplies the needed heat and steam in the manufacture of starch was installed this summer to replace an old coal-fired boiler. In place of the former slower process of kiln drying, a rotary dryer will be ready to speed operations this fall along with an added piece of equipment, the centrifuge. The new machinery will not only speed operations but will produce a better grade of starch and has provided increased hopper capacity of potatoes from 350 barrels to 1,500 barrels.
25 Years Ago – Aug. 20, 1997
Phish fans spend thousands as concert is rated success — The 65,000-plus Phish fans attending the Sunday portion of the rock band’s concert were enough to make the concert site at the former Loring Air Force base the most populated place in Maine on that day. Like so many others, Saturday morning after the rain, the parents of Phish band member Trey Anastasio were soaking wet. They traveled into Caribou with young children in tow and dried their clothes in a laundromat. And they were treated like royalty by people who did not know they were in The County to hear their son perform. The Crown Park Inn was one of dozens who benefited from the concert’s economic and image building windfall. Hardware stores in Caribou and Limestone were especially busy Saturday morning selling tarps, batteries and flashlights.
Longtime employee — Louelle Hewitt of Caribou, a dietary aide at the Caribou Nursing Home, has been recognized on a number of occasions for her dedicated service. She began her career in the dietary department 24 years ago at the time the nursing home first opened its doors.
