120 Years Ago – Dec. 16, 1904
Skating rink opens — The new skating rink in the Steven’s building opens to the public tonight, Thursday, a new hardwood floor has been laid, smoothed down, plenty of electric lights placed in position, and everything is now ready.
Still up and running — H.E. Jones’ starch factory is still running — an unusual thing at this time of year. But once before, and that was thirteen years ago, has the factory been run so late in the season. It is understood that Mr. Jones’ factory is the only one in the county which is being operated now.
115 Years Ago – Dec. 15, 1909
Nothing but good words to say — Geo. W. Adams of Boston in a letter to the Bangor News, has a good word to say regarding the Burleigh hotel. Mr. Adams says; ‘In October it was a privilege to ride over the B. & A. road from Old Town to Patten, where I stopped a few days with friends, then from Patten to Van Buren; stopped over night and the next day boarded the 7 o’clock train and came down to Caribou; here we stopped over for a few hours, was driven to Burleigh House, kept by two brothers, former conductors of the B. & A. road we were told. We were furnished as fine a dinner as we could have had at many of the big Boston hostelries. I will say right here if you have occasion to go to Caribou do not fail to stop at the Burleigh.’
100 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1924
Barber shop soon to open — J.W. McArthur, who has been engaged as clerk in C.P. Hussey’s store for several years, will soon open a store and barber shop in the Hutchingson building on Main Street.
Off to Florida — Mr. and Mrs. Allard Coburn started Monday by automobile for Florida where they will spend the winter. Mr. Coburn has been engaged as foreman at the fertilizer plant of the Aroostook Federation of Farmers.
75 Years Ago – Dec. 15, 1949
Queen Mickey in N.Y. with Maine show — Miss Mickey Connett of Caribou, Maine’s potato blossom queen, will be one of the State’s five charming sales ladies in New York City Friday when ‘Main Event’ the Pine Tree State’s contribution, will be given at the annual charity Christmas party presented by the Sales Executive Club of New York. The Pine Tree State’s contribution to the three-hour entertainment program for the Club members, at the Waldorf Astoria ballroom, will be a specially prepared down east skit in which the virtues of ‘Maine as the place to live and play’ will be extolled. Some of the leading figures in show business already scheduled to donate talents at this year’s program are Jimmy Durante, Lanny Ross, Mae West, Hildegarde and a host of other Broadway figures who are currently starring along the Great White Way.
Utilities Commission orders Caribou train toots stopped — The State Public Utilities Commission, acting on a petition from the Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, and citizens in Caribou, has ordered that the Bangor and Aroostook train whistle blowing in this town at night be discontinued between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Joseph W. Hatch, Chamber secretary, declared Wednesday. The petition from Caribou was not protested by the B & A Railroad co. and was acted upon by three Commission officials.
25 Years Ago – Dec. 15, 1999
Retiring at top — Richard Griffin is retiring as the plant manager of First Technology of Caribou after 36 years with the company. In 1963 Griffin went to work as a mechanic for the Sylvania company in Standish. His experience working with engines was a benefit to the company that made electric circuit breakers for automobiles. During Griffin’s career Sylvania sold the company which would later become Control Devices, and most recently, First Technology. The product-line was always the same. Griffin worked in Standish for 18 years and then wanted to move to a new location. Control Devices was opening a plant in Caribou and he put in a request for the move. He got the job and has been in Caribou ever since. Harold Dubay, production foreman, will take Griffin’s place as plant manager.
Nylander hires a new director — The Nylander Museum’s board of trustees has hired a new museum director. Charles Ames of Grand Isle began his new job last Wednesday. Formerly a geology and history teacher in Phoenix, Ames retired there with his wife in the spring 1998.
