100 Years Ago-July 23, 1913
Aroostook Times
Moths on the move — One of the most annoying pests the country has had to deal with is the brown tail moth, a vigorous fight has been waged ever since its appearance in Maine. Up to the present time, Houlton has not been afflicted, but on Thursday millions of the little white millers were flying about the street lights and Friday morning telegraph poles, trees, buildings, etc., were thickly spattered with millers taking a rest preparatory to another round of pleasure when the bright lights burn again.
Houlton’s taxpayers — This issue of the “Aroostook Times” alphabetically lists all taxpayers of Houlton who pay a tax of $100 or over. The list begins with Chas. Abernathy, $101 and ends with A. P. Young, $172. Non-resident taxpayers are also listed.
75 Years Ago-July 28, 1938
Houlton Pioneer Times
Houlton couple view quintuplets — Mr. and Mrs. George Roach who returned Saturday evening from a visit with Mrs. Roach’s parents in Barree, Ont., have the distinction of being the first Houlton residents to see the famous Dionne quintuplets (five girls, born May 28, 1934). While in Ontario, they went to Callender, a distance of over 150 miles to the Dionne family home. Visitors are allowed to see the quintuplets at 10 o’clock a.m. and 3 p.m.
Smyrna Mills news — The Methodist church has been presented a new pipe organ and three nice pulpit chairs by the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Rockwell. Foster Boutilier was a weekend guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Boutilier. Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Gardner and five daughters, Ellen, Pophronia, Flora, Eloise and Mattie were in Presque Isle on Monday.
50 Years Ago-July 25, 1963
Houlton Pioneer Times
Potato acreage proposal — The USDA has issued a tentative decision recommending against the proposed national potato marketing agreement and order dividing commercial potato production into six areas and regulating supplies through acreage allotments. Legislation to this effect had been introduced by both Senator Edmund S. Muskie and Congressman Clifford G. McIntire and had received support of Aroostook growers.
File photo 1963
SUGAR BEETS ARE HERE — Bernard Hannigan loads fertilizer into the sugar beet planter at the farm of Willard Donovan on the Ludlow Road as the first step in the experimental program of planting 250 acres of sugar beets in Aroostook County.
Return of harness racing — Larry Reese in his column “Highlights in Sports” advocates for the return of harness racing to Houlton, “… harness racing is big business in the state today with several of the raceways drawing record crowds every night. Some 25 years ago the Houlton race track was a hot bed of horse racing…equipped with lights and featured some of the fastest trotters and pacers at that time anywhere in Maine and Canada…The need for a well-rounded program is all the town needs to have races once again on the famed oval.”
25 Years Ago-July 27, 1988
Houlton Pioneer Times
Unearthing Houlton history — Construction crews working for Trombley Industries, contractor for Houlton’s intown revitalization project, unearthed hundreds of bits and pieces of tombstones Monday off Main Street near the library. A child’s tombstone along with other broken bits of marble was found at an ash line in the soil which resulted from the Great Fire of 1902 which leveled much of what was then Houlton.
Ames Store celebration — Ames Department Store in Houlton is announcing its 31st birthday celebration which begins Friday with cake and coffee for customers and continues throughout the following week with a birthday prize sweepstakes and saving throughout the store. Among the 103 sweepstakes prizes awarded by Ames Department Stores are a 1988 Toyota Supra, a trip to the World Series, a 19-foot motor boat, $500 US savings bonds and two above-ground pools.
