From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news.

IN HOULTON — Nationally known evangelical speaker, Billy Graham visited Houlton in the late 1940s. He spoke from a flatbed trailer in a hangar at the Houlton Airport. The audience filled the building. Photo courtesy of Donald Scott of New Limerick.
Compiled by Karen Donato
100 Years Ago-April 20, 1910
Aroostook Times
    Mailboxes — It is the desire of the postal department that you earnestly request patrons of rural delivery to paint their boxes and the posts to which they are attached a pure white color. This will protect the box from the weather, give all boxes a uniform color and serve to fix their identity in all parts of the country. It will also give them a much neater appearance than they now possess.
    Speeding — One of our town autoists was fined $1 last week for driving his machine beyond the statutory limit of eight miles an hour.
75 Years Ago-April 18, 1935
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Clean-up week — The entire week of April 29 has been designated by the Board of Selectmen as Clean Up and Paint Week in Houlton this year and all citizens in view of the Conference of Methodist Churches of Maine that convenes here from May 7 to 12, are urged to cooperate to the fullest extent in making every possible improvement to their homes and grounds.
    A letter — A letter that is attracting much attention in the window of the Perry Jewelry Company was received addressed to Robert P. Titcomb, 10 Elm Street, stamp marked Little America, Antarctica, Jan. 31, 1934. The letter was also stamped at San Francisco, Mar. 25, 1935. This letter was sent by Mrs. Walter Titcomb in her son’s name, on the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1933. It remained in the post office at Little America since that time having been delayed for one year because of difficulties in transportation from that town. 
Contributed photo
A FEW YEARS AGO — Jerry McCarthy of Houlton submitted this Fourth of July parade photo. He is riding in the Soap Box Derby Car hauled by the Paul A. McGillicuddy pick-up. The photo was inadvertantly cropped in last week’s edition.
50 Years Ago-April 21, 1960
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Remodeling — The J.A. Brown Department store in Houlton is currently remodeling its storefront, the fourth establishment in this community to undertake renovations this spring. According to R. Lafayette Ervin, the job should be completed in ten days. Anson Tabor is the general contractor.
    DeMolay — 250 boys from 18 chapters throughout Maine are expected to attend an all-day program here at the Masonic Hall Saturday. David Lawrence of Houlton has been elected as the outstanding DeMolay member in Maine by the International Supreme Council of Order of DeMolay and will receive a Distinguished Service Medallion.
    Island Falls — Mr. and Mrs. Foss Hathaway attended the annual award meeting for Soil Conservation personnel held at the Oronoka in Orono. Hathaway received a 15-year safe driving award.
    Stay off greens — Golfers are being asked to stay off the greens at Houlton Community Golf Club and also not to drive their vehicles down the country clubhouse driveway. The greens will be ready when the flags are in position the club Superintendent said.
25 Years Ago-April 17, 1985
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Island Falls — The first of the log-cabin style buildings at Vacationland Estates have been completed, giving the area its first timeshare condominium resort. The multi-unit complex was being constructed on high land between Pleasant Pond and Mattawamkeag Lake.
    National honor — Mary Alice Inman, a member of the Houlton High School Band directed by David McGillicuddy has been selected for membership in the Sousa National High School Honors Band. This is one of the highest honors in the nation that can come to a high school musician. Inman is the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph Inman.
    Miss Houlton — The Houlton Chamber of Commerce is working to bring back the Miss Houlton Pageant. There hasn’t been a pageant since 1982. Miss Jolene Cronkhite is the reigning queen.
    Promoted — Malcolm T. Dow of Bucksport has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and named field supervisor within the Maine State Police. The Houlton native joined the Maine State Police in 1976.