WASHBURN NEWS
This writing is a small piece of history of the Aroostook Valley Railroad begun by the foresight of Arthur R. Gould. The idea for the need of a railway system other than that of the Bangor and Aroostook was of great interest to paper companies in the area, including that of the main purchaser of land, the Aroostook Lumber Company, and the private timber rights of Mr. Gould.
The line would serve only slightly more than 5,000 residents, businesses and passengers, and most of its business was done as a freight carrier. The survey of the rail line to be was approved in 1902 and then approved by the Maine Railroad commissioners in 1903, along with the permission to make connections with both the Canadian Pacific and the Bangor and Aroostook lines.
There was branch line construction started in 1903 for a run from Washburn to Wade. Actual construction began in the spring of 1909 with power supplied by the Aroostook Falls Station and a sub-station located at Mason Hill in Washburn. These bright red cars were powered with 1,200 volts of electricity. The official opening day through Washburn was held on July 1, 1910 and was pronounced as “Washburn’s Greatest Day,” with flags decorating the buildings and a large banner across Main Street sporting “Welcome Gould.” There was a grand celebration; Gould and his party was presented a silver tea service, as well as Presque Isle declaring the occasion a holiday and giving free train rides every hour.
In the Aroostook Telephone and Telegraph book for the years 1931-32, the Aroostook Valley Railroad listed its Washburn office as being on Main Street and the phone number was 69.
Found on a schedule for the winter of 1928, it was listed that there were four round trips made from Sidings including Crouseville, Adaline, Bugbee and Washburn. The “favorite cars through these areas included 51, 53, 70 and 80, and all cars needed the skills of “pole tenders.” Their jobs were to keep the trolley pole on the wire as they moved through switches, unlike when the cars were moving straight ahead — there was little chance they would leave the lines.
Also in 1928 Aroostook Valley Railroad officers included A.R. Gould, president; L.E. Gould, vice president; and H.N. Crandall, general manager.
As Washburn grew, the AVR was moved in 1939 to a private right-of-way, running parallel to the B & A. Also newer methods were needed to control the movements of trains so as to prevent accidents, and on Sept. 5, 1941, the Aroostook Valley electric line gathered special permission to move large amounts of freight traffic as well as passenger traffic. Caboose 102 was the last caboose used by the railroad and Car 50 is still “in service” by being on display, complete with the Crouseville Siding displayed on the car, and can be seen today on Route 1 in Blaine.
Even though the Aroostook Valley Railroad is no longer in operation, many of Washburn’s residents still hold on to the good memories of the electric cars and their service to this area.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Penny Rand, Troy Plante, Josh Blackstone, Ashley Doody, Diana Doughman, Brenda McCoy, Brian Corey, Isaac Easler, Shane Long, Bob Rossignol, Vespa Johnson, Caleb Levesque, Zac Campbell, Erika King, Declan Jensen, Keith Corey, Kyle Kramer, Amanda Martin, Joyce Pinette, Kevin Goodine, Todd Doody and Katalin Grooms.
Anniversary wishes go out to Glen and Deb Viola.
Upcoming elections
Nomination papers are currently available for seats on the Board of Directors for the Washburn Water and Sewer District. Papers are available at the Washburn Town Office and for further information or questions, residents may contact the Water and Sewer District office at 455-1042. Dennis Harris currently has nomination papers at the Washburn Food Mart and the Washburn post office.
There are three seats open on the SAD 45 School Board for Washburn and one for Perham. Papers are available at the respective town offices. The Washburn papers are due to be returned on Thursday, Feb. 3, by 4 p.m. The Perham nomination papers are due no later than close of business at the Perham Town Hall on Thursday, Jan. 27. There are also two Washburn Town Council seats open. Incumbent Fred Thomas has nomination papers out, leaving one seat open. Councilman Jeff Wark has been on the Council for the past 12 years and has decided not to run for re-election, stating that he feels it is time for some “new blood and new ideas” to sit on the Council.
The municipal election will be held on Monday, March 21, and the annual Town Meeting being held on Tuesday, March 22.
Washburn news and notes
Correction: Telephone contact numbers for the Salmon Brook Historical Society were listed incorrectly. The correct numbers are Jack Phelan — 4928271 and David Rand — 455-4850. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
The next scheduled meeting of the Mill Pond Park Restoration Project is set for Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Washburn Civic Center at 7 p.m.
The next scheduled August Festival Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center.
Some information is being sought concerning the Sesquicentennial booklet being planned for the town of Washburn. Anyone having information on the names of school superintendents and first selectmen during a 20-year span from 1861 through 1881, and superintendants for the year 1894-95, is asked to phone Dennis Harris at 455-8279 or e-mail any names and dates to him at drharris@juno.com
Hoop Shoot results
Two basketball-savvy students, Quintin Thompson and Noah Caron, from Washburn Elementary School recently won the local competition for the Elk Hoop Shoots, which made them eligible to go on to the Presque Isle trials held on Saturday, Jan. 8. Each won first place in their age category, with Quintin Thompson in the 10-and 11-year-old division. After a tie breaker, he made 22 out of 30 foul shots. Noah Caron also won in the 12- to 13-year-old division with a total of 20 out of 25 foul shots. They were each awarded a trophy and a check for $75 to help with travel expenses. Both boys will be going to Bangor to enter the next level of competition.
Rec Center schedule
On Wednesday, Jan. 19, and Wednesday, Jan. 26, there will be cross country skiing from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Jan. 20, there will be a movie at the Rec Center for grades K-4 from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, Jan. 24, there will be basketball for grades K-1 from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Also on Monday, Jan. 24, and Monday, Jan. 31, there will be men’s basketball at the elementary school gym at 7 p.m.
Town Council notes
The Washburn Town Council held their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, at the Washburn Civic Center. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a time for public participation.
The Council approved the minutes from the Dec. 13 Council meeting and reviewed the financial figures through Dec. 31, 2010.
A discussion was held concerning solid waste information and the Council voted to hold a special town meeting in the near future to discuss and vote on a warrant article concerning the solid waste issue. If passed, there will be a specific bag that will need to be purchased for garbage. The standard blue bag for recyclables may be left at curbsides and will be picked up at no cost to the homeowners. It was noted with the new “pay-as-you-throw” system that recycling will reduce Washburn’s tonnage, making for a lower cost to the town for use of the landfill.
Also included in the agenda was the appointment of Deputy Clerk Lisa Mette to handle the job of registrar of voters. The Council also discussed and approved designs for the cover and dedication page of the upcoming annual town report book. They agreed to have the cover consist of a collage of old and new photos depicting the town during the past 150 years, and the dedication page will be donated to thank different groups for their efforts in planning the events for the 150th anniversary.
Included in the manager’s report it was noted that the Budget Committee meeting will be held as soon as possible after the Special Town Meeting. It was noted that citizens are urged to attend in order to convey their budget wishes to the Council.
The next scheduled Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 14, at the Civic Center at 7 p.m.
The SAD 45 School Board voted to change Feb. 4 to a regular full day of school. There will not be a teacher workshop held that day.
Youth to host supper
The Lidstone/Mapleton Methodist Church Youth Group will be hosting a Spaghetti Supper and Silent Auction on Saturday, Jan. 29. It will be held at the Washburn Civic Center from 5-6:30 p.m. The cost of the supper is going to be on a donation basis. The Youth Group is raising funds to attend a youth convention in Indianna in July 2011. Please come and support our youth!
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
