HOULTON, Maine — Ever since the town’s founding more than 200 years ago, there have been many residents who have impacted its history.
Few, however, accomplished more than Col. Blackhawk Putnam, a businessman and veteran who served in the American Civil War and operated a tavern at what is now the oldest building in Aroostook County. Despite the passage of time and a number of fires that leveled buildings in the community over the past two centuries, the Blackhawk Putnam Tavern remains standing at 22 North Street.
Born in 1838, Putnam was a descendant of Aaron Putnam, who with Joseph Houlton, founded the town in 1807.
He was just 23-years-old when the war broke out, leading him to form Co. E 1st Maine Cavalry Regiment and head to Virginia in 1862, according to information provided by the Maine Memory Network. The 70 men in the regiment teamed up with the 1st Vermont Cavalry and met heavy fighting from the Confederate army.
Putnam was shot in the foot while leading a charge at Middletown, West Virginia. He and other soldiers, separated from the remainder of the regiment, escaped capture after hiding in the woods and mountains for nine days.
After his return to Houlton, Putnam bought and sold farms, was the original director and founder of the Houlton Water Co. and ran the tavern, according to Cora M. Putnam’s book, “The Story of Houlton, Maine.” The tavern was originally constructed in 1813 for Aaron Putnam by Samuel Wormwood, a master carpenter. A Federal period building, the 3-1/2 story wood frame structure had both its exterior and interior trim remodelled in the Greek Revival style. In 1836, the building was used as the first courthouse in northern Maine, complete with a jail in the basement.
Sitting high on a small hill overlooking the Meduxnekeag River, the structure has been used in most recent decades as office space. Some residents recently admitted they had no idea about its history.
Casey McMonigle, 20, of Houlton, said she was not aware until Friday that the former tavern had any historical significance at all.
“You can obviously look at it and it looks old,” she said of the tavern. “I always assumed that it used to be an old bank or something. It has drawn my attention in the past, but I have never been inside it or even in the dooryard, for that matter.”
Her friend, Kayla Manning, 27, of Houlton, said she was aware of its history based on trips to the museum and Maine History courses taught to her in school.
“I remember that we took several field trips to the museum and we saw Blackhawk Putnam’s boots and swords,” she said. “But I am not sure that many young people know of its significance. It is kind of neat.”
Putnam died in 1909 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton.
After his passing, the tavern was used as a restaurant and then a private residence and remained in the Putnam family. In 1975, town officials petitioned successfully to have the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Blackhawk Putnam building was most recently used to house medical offices and is currently for sale. The building is owned by Dr. Jill Beaupain, according to town records.
