Houlton family visits town

    HOULTON, Maine — The Fourth of July parade had special guests this year as decedents of Joseph Houlton, one of the town’s original settlers, were in the Shiretown.
James William Milton Houlton, his wife Jennifer and their children Alex and Aja were in Houlton for the Fourth of July and featured guests in the town’s annual parade. James was born and raised in New Jersey and the Houltons currently reside near Louisville, Ky.
“This is our first time coming to Houlton,” he said. “I have wanted to come for a long time. Our children are now teenagers and we wanted to give them a taste of our history.”
James Houlton is named after his great-grandfather James “Jimmy” Willard Houlton.
“As I understand it, Jimmy was the last one who was born and raised here,” he said.
Aaron Putnam and Joseph Houlton started the town of Houlton as a village in 1807. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1831.
In New Jersey, he resided in a rural area near Lake Hopatcong, about an hour from New York City. He has two younger brothers, John and Joe. John Houlton has visited the town twice, but never during the July 4 celebration.
“This was a happy coincidence for us,” James said. “My wife has family near Portsmouth, N.H. This trip allowed us to do both.”
The Houltons were only able to stay one day in the Shiretown, but James’ impressions of the town that bears his name are overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s very nice community,” he said. “The older homes are absolutely beautiful. I was so impressed on the parade route today by the number of active churches. That is so important. Foundations in faith are a pillar for communities.”
The Houltons were also given a quick tour of the town by Leigh Cummings. James said he was impressed with the town’s Historical Society.
“It gives you pride in your town when you know its history,” he said.