Editor’s note: This is the third part of an essay on Caribou throughout the years by a life-long resident.
Here on the home front, we felt the impact of those war years in shortages. Ration books were issued to purchase meat, sugar, butter, etc. Shoes, gasoline and tires were also in short supply. However, it was a small effort on our part for what our service men and women were enduring overseas in the battle zones of Germany, France, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines and other names that would become familiar to us.
Though the peace treaty had been signed, rumblings coming out of Russia were disturbing. It was a major concern in Washington, D. C. A base needed to be built for B-52 bombers, which would provide the shortest distance from the U. S. to Russia. Limestone, Maine was selected for its proximity to Russia.
In 1947, construction of Loring Air Force Base got underway. The giant bomber base would encompass hundreds of acres of land with runways and buildings for military personnel and their families. It was a building boom like no other.
Caribou bordered Limestone and opportunities abounded. To meet the demand, Caribou stepped out and overnight, housing developments sprang into being: Garden Circle, Burgess Village, Tibbett’s Terrace, Donnelley’s Settlement (in back of where Katahdin Creamery was located on South Main Street) and a field area next to Collins Street to name a few.
New businesses opened their doors and local ones expanded. Among the new were Plourde’s Furniture, Day’s Jewelry, Crane’s (clothing for women), Plourde’s Music Shop and Bea’s Dress Shop featuring one- of-a-kind merchandise; if it came from Bea’s, you would not see a duplicate of yourself anywhere.
Restaurants like the Prestile Starlight dining room, with its spectacular view of Caribou at night, gave diners a touch of elegance. It also catered to fashion shows, ballroom functions and other social affairs. King Henry also had a fine dining atmosphere where delicious cuisine was served. The Outpost on the Access Highway was a favorite of military personnel from Loring. Reno’s Pizza, introduced back in the 60s, is still a place to go, not only to get a scrumptious pizza, but a menu of delectable plates to choose from.
Loring was responsible for bringing television to our area in the 50s. Tall, slender, tubular rods of steel appeared on rooftops transmitting black and white reception of movies, talk shows (Arthur Godfrey), sports and advertising right into our living rooms. This new technology would affect our lives big time!
Advertising sells and TV knew how to sell to the public. Enter credit cards. No money. No problem. Just charge it. Is it really that easy?
To be continued
