115 Years Ago – Feb. 5, 1902
Technology — Talk of an “electric road” from Van Buren to Fort Kent is in the air, and a telephone has been placed in H.A. Edwards’ residence on Sweden Street.
100 Years Ago – Feb. 8, 1917
Ice — H.A. Soucie has harvested his annual crop of ice, and is now cutting for farmers. The ice is of a remarkable clear quality, free from snow, and is twenty-eight inches in thickness.
A lot of potatoes — During the month of January, 1917, there were 1,715,620 bushels of potatoes hauled out of Aroostook County over the B&A railroad.
75 Years Ago – Feb. 5, 1942
Ice aircraft carrier –Murray Mockler, in charge of building the Ice Aircraft Carrier in the square for this year’s Carnival, announced today that construction would probably start sometime next week. Plans for the novel ice edifice have been prepared by Powers Pierson. A number of model airplanes, preferable warship models, will be wanted for display on the carrier’s deck.
Night school opens — The Caribou High Night School which opened Monday evening, reached an enrollment of 54 at their Wednesday night session. Superintendent of School Jas. A. Hamlin greeted the students at their opening gathering with appropriate remarks. Classes are offered three nights a week and a small fee is charged to cover cost of books and registration.
50 Years Ago – Feb. 8, 1967
New high — The motor vehicle accident rate in Caribou stepped to a new high during the month of January, according to word from the local police department. A total of 44 accidents was recorded on the department books during the month, just “too many,” says Lt. John Doak. Most of the accidents were attributed to winter driving conditions with frosted windshields and slippery intersections cited as definite factors. Doak said it was fortunate that only two accidents involved personal injury.
Coordinator — The Aroostook Health Facilities Planning committee recently voted 11-5 in favor of a regional medical facility, and 8-6 to have its members explore the possibility of hiring an expert to coordinate planning for a new hospital, has won conditional approval from Caribou. The construction of the proposed facility could cost in the vicinity of $8,000,000.
25 Years Ago – Feb. 5, 1992
Fire claims business — Soderberg Construction of Caribou was totally destroyed in a late evening fire last Thursday evening at its Sincock Street location. Thirty Caribou firefighters and six units, with assistance from Loring AFB, Fort Fairfield and Washburn fire departments, remained at the scene for 12 hours said Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods. The 11 p.m. fire appeared to have started upstairs and its cause is still under investigation.
Collins to head SBA — Susan M. Collins, formerly of Caribou, will start her new job as the New England regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) next week. Collins leaves her job as commissioner of Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, a post she held five years.
