120 Years Ago – June 30, 1904
More records being made for vegetation — The vegetation of Aroostook is reaching out for new records this year. On Monday S. L. Bennett brought into the Republican office a mammoth stick of rhubarb, the leaf of which made a good sized umbrella, measuring 41 ¾ x 42 ½ inches; the stem measured 6 ½ inches in circumference. The plant grew on the farm of J. B. McIntire, who has plenty more of the same size.
Getting ready to make a move — H. O. Spencer, jeweler, expects to move about August 1 into the store formerly occupied by Ellis Green, clothier, next door to Scates Co’s & drug store. In order to reduce his stock before moving he will offer some big bargains.
115 Years Ago – July 1, 1909
Moved a barn — Messrs. Lavoie and Pelkey have recently finished moving the barn for John McElwain. This barn which is 40 x 70 was originally built when lumber was more plentiful than at present, and as a consequence, was an unusually heavy structure requiring patience and skill in moving 165 feet and raising seven feet necessary to place it on the new concrete wall, yet the work was done without a mishap and in a manner eminently satisfactory to Mr. McElwain.
Decided not to rebuild on the same site — J. S. Getchell and Son, whose machine shop and foundry was burned June 7, have decided not to take the time to rebuild on the old site, but have fitted up a section 50 x 55 feet in the west end of their starch factory on Water street. They have taken up the floor, scraped out the loam and will haul in clay gravel so as to have a good solid earth floor to work on. On the ground floor will be the machine and blacksmith shops, the ‘setting up’ will be done on the second floor and the third floor will be used for a paint shop. Large windows will be put in to give good light and the roof will be covered with fire-proof roofing. They now have enough tools set up to do all kinds of jobs.
100 Years Ago – June 26, 1924
Setting up a convenience for customers — A. J. Ouellette is having a concrete stand made in front of his automobile accessory store on Sweden street, which will be of great convenience to his numerous patrons.
Circus was in town — Sparks Circus exhibited at the fairgrounds Monday afternoon and evening, arriving early Sunday morning from Van Buren. The huge canvas was filled to overflowing in the afternoon, and the evening performance was also liberally patronized. All the acts were good and many new features were introduced. Sparks Circus was probably the cleanest one, at least for a good many years, which ever visited Caribou. There was no semblance of gambling of any kind.
75 Years Ago – June 30, 1949
Caribou Fire Dept. wins bucket event — The Caribou Fire department returned home Tuesday evening as winners of one of three events at the annual Aroostook Firemen’s Muster held in Mapleton. Over 200 firemen from some 19 departments of Aroostook and New Brunswick attended the all-day conclave. A Five-man crew of Caribou copped honors in the fire bucket brigade contest. The hose rolling event was won by Houlton and a Van Buren unit was triumphant in the wet-line hose hook-up which required a force of seven men. The winning quintet of Caribou were: Ken Collins, Kendall Forbes, Bruce Somers, Alton Adams and Schuyler Howe. Other members of the local force attending were: Chief Russel Getchell, Ora Howe, Sr., Dave Abbott, and Ora Howe, Jr.
Playgrounds here are gaining in attendance — Attendance at two Caribou playgrounds has been by far larger than over the corresponding period of last year and everything points to a new high in all phases of activity, Lloyd Pound, director of Recreation stated. Hampered by increment weather conditions, attendance at the swimming pool has been low. Up to 400 youth visited Teague St., playground during an afternoon, while Bridge street has also taken on bee-hive appearances.
25 Years Ago – June 30, 1999
Caribou, New Sweden racers compete in Houlton’s derby — For the first time in four years, an out-of-town racer took the checkered flag in the Stock division of the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race held last Saturday on Drakes in Houlton. 172 racers participated in this year’s Soap Box Derby Race. According to Marie Carichael, co-director of the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race, it was an increase from last year. Participating in the Stock division were 102 racers, with 70 in Super Stock. Each driver ran two races in a heat, with the computer scoring the fastest time within millionths of a second. Under sunny skies, Caribou’s Justin Sawyer edged Houlton’s Ryan Aucoin son of Raineie and Bob Aucoin, by .2085 seconds to win. Aucoin had taken the first race of their heat by a margin of .1229 seconds, but in the second run, Sawyer bested him by .3314 seconds to give him the overall victory. Two years ago, Sawyer placed second in the Stock division and with more experience, he was confident when he climbed into his derby car and headed down the hill.
Cable service to show improved picture — Don’t worry, White Mountain Cable is not taking over Time Warner’s territory. Officials from Time Warner Cable of Maine have confirmed that about 20 White Mountain Cable Construction trucks are on County roads helping to upgrade the local cable system. The work recently began in Presque Isle and will continue into August. Cable workers will move into Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Caribou this week. More than 130 miles of fiber optic cable will be installed during the upgrade. The last upgrade of the local cable system was in 1982.
