Houlton area From our Files – Week of December 15, 2021

Beth Lacombe, Special to The County
2 years ago

100 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1921

Railroad nixes rate increases The B&A Railroad will not raise their rates on coal and wood despite the ruling of the Interstate Commission. The B&A is seeing that everything possible is being done to help Aroostook County and the industries and people along the lines served by its railroad, said President Percy Todd.

Large gathering of Masons — One of the largest Masonic gatherings ever to be held in Houlton took place on Monday night when representatives from every lodge in the district were in attendance at the meeting of Monument Lodge to do homage to RWJGW George Haskell.

75 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1946

New editors — Harletta Esterbrook and Dorthy Long have been elected as co-editors of the Aroostookan, at ACI.

An adventure with Santa — Donald Earle, the 9-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earle Boutilier of Oakfield, while on a shopping trip with his mother to Bangor, had the pleasure of being a guest on WLBZ Radio with Santa Claus.

50 Years Ago -Dec. 15, 1971

Promotion at B&A — Leo E. Downie of Houlton has been named traveling engineer and supervisor of all brakes for the B&A Railroad. Mr. Downie will make his headquarters in Houlton.

Essay contest winners The students of the social studies department of the Junior High School of SAD 29 submitted essays on the topic of the United Nations. Prizes were awarded to the three winners as judged by the social studies teachers and were donated by the three local banks in Houlton. On hand to pass out the awards were Arthur Greaney, head of the department, Willis Grimm, chairman of the Essay Committee, Holly McGuillicuddy, third prize winner, Vickie Williams, first prize was presented by Tom Willard, town manager.

25 Years Ago – Dec. 11, 1996

New business Whatever, a shop featuring a variety of novelty, collectible, toy and doll merchandise opened on the corner of Market Square just after Thanksgiving. Owners Bob and Janice Heller say business has been very good since opening.

Cary Library to receive Native Collection  — Under a grant approved by the U.S. National Park Service, Houlton’s Cary Library will be presented with 36 tomes of Native American Textual resources later this week according to representatives of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, said the $540 worth of reading materials will provide native and local community access to a wealth of information.