115 Years Ago — July 31, 1901
New stone and brick — The Caribou House now fronts on High Street and rests on its new stone and brick foundation. The house is being newly shingled and one of the old chimneys has been taken down and will be replaced by a new one. The frame for a new shed added to the house is up.
Oats and more oats — W.C. Spaulding had 50 bushels of new oats taken to his store Wednesday, July 31, by Albert Kelley. This is believed to be the earliest time in Aroostook’s history that new oates have been sold in July.
100 Years Ago — Aug. 3, 1916
Rush work — Work on the United Baptist parsonage on South Main Street, is being rushed so that the pastor and his family can occupy it on Sept. 1. The committee, S.E. Briggs, G. M. Morgan and Geo. Paul, are bound to have the building up to date for the occupants.
Restrictions — Several towns in the county have adopted local ordinances regulating the driving of automobiles in the village limits. These by-laws should be published in the county papers that motorists from other towns may know just what is required for them.
75 Years Ago — July 31, 1941
Aluminum drive nets 702 lbs — Caribou’s aluminum drive held during the week of July 21-26 netted a total of 702 pounds of the used metal, according to to an announcement made by local chairman Dave Solman. The local drive, which included a house-to-house canvass supervised by the Caribou Lions Club, was climaxed Thursday night when a large group gathered in the square to hear a concert by the Caribou Concert Band and to witness donations made in a special bin erected for the occasion.
Teletypes installed at CAA offices — Two new teletypes are being installed this week in the office of the Civil Aeronautics Authority located at the Caribou Municipal Airport. This new equipment is being added to handle the increased number of air traffic reports and weather bureau information that pass through this station.
50 Years Ago — Aug. 3, 1966
Pratt resigns — The Caribou school system suffered a severe blow when it was learned that Bertis L. Pratt, Jr. guidance director at the high school level for nine years, has resigned from his post. Public reaction was quick, running from shock to anger to disbelief. Pratt’s resignation was a weekend conversation piece at gatherings of all kinds. Citizens who had come to know the personable and capable Pratt as the bulwark of the high school institution had one common opinion: “This should not have been allowed to happen.”
New laundry center opens — Kenneth Ginn, chairman of the Caribou Town Council, was among those to cut a ribbon formally opening the new Norge Laundry and Cleaning Village on the Access Highway. Harold Nelson, who has the franchise for more than 70 Norge cleaning centers in New England, was in attendance as well.
25 Years Ago — July 31, 1991
Key Bank-Casco to eliminate four banks — Key Bank, which has applied to purchase 12 Casco Northern Bank branches statewide, expects to close four buildings in Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton, but will transfer the employees of those buildings into new jobs within The County. In Caribou, the Casco Northern branch on Sweden Street will probably remain open, with the Key Bank on High street closing.
Memorial service remembers first settlers — In observance of New Sweden Day, the founding of the colony in August 1870, a memorial service was held at the Settler’s Monument in the old cemetery Sunday afternoon, July 20. David G. Anderson, president of the New Sweden Historical Society, spoke about the settlers of the community. A concert followed at the W.W. Thomas Memorial Park, featuring a band under the direction of Fred Heath from Orono.
