From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

    Editor’s note: Houlton native Robert Taylor, a retired telephone company employee who lives in Presque Isle with his wife, the former Sarah Murphy of New Limerick, took special note of last week’s reference to road improvements on outer Court Street, especially the section referred to as Hanagan Hill. Now 85, Taylor recalls boyhood treks to town from his Calais Road home that pre-date the redirection of Court St. over the aforementioned hill (known today as the outcropping of rock between the Old Calais Rd. and Gallop Lane). Before the improvement, Taylor’s route took him around the hill (today’s Old Calais Rd.) and past a farm that had a “mean old bull” that he won’t likely ever forget. But that’s a story for another time.
100 Years Ago-July 3, 1912
Aroostook Times
    Ready for Fourth of July — A front-page story and three photographs announced the grand opening of “Houlton’s Beautiful New Park” in time for the Independence Day holiday. The park features a Track which is second to none in the state; an up-to-date Grand Stand with a seating capacity of 2,000; a Judges’ Stand; a Base Ball Diamond which is ideal; and another stand to hold 500 people, 20 stables for horses, and a large number of cattle sheds beside fencing the entire 25 acres and over a mile of wire fencing on both sides of the track.
Contributed photo
COMMUNITY PARK — Just in time for a huge 1912 Fourth of July celebration, Houlton’s newest development, Community Park, was unveiled to a crowd of more than 1,600 who descended on the Shiretown for parades, speeches, agricultural displays, baseball games and harness racing. The $12,000 project, undertaken by the Houlton Agricultural Society, was thought to be the best community park in the state.
75 Years Ago-July 8, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Widespread response to suggested museum — Ransford W. Shaw writes: “It gives me great pleasure to report that I have had a widespread response from people all over the County on the question of the museum. Items, including very old rifles, muskets, swords and ox yokes, have been volunteered.”
    One of finest trains in East — Nathan Perry, director of public relations for Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, announced that the present “Aroostook Flyer” will soon be replaced by a new and modern lightweight all-steel train equipped throughout with the latest in safety and comfort.
50 Years Ago-July 5, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Virtual hermit — Living alone in a small grey cabin located in a clearing of woods some 50 feet from the railroad track, 12 miles from the nearest road in Smyrna Mills is Harry MacNeil, a retired railroader. His favorite activity is reading adventure books by the light of a kerosene lamp and chatting with the occasional railroad employee who checked on his status while inspecting the remote stretch of tracks.
    Honored dealership — The Ralph L. Berry Company of Houlton was recognized by the Ford Motor Company for 50 years of continued service and sales of their product line. Accepting the honor from Ford representatives were Mr. Berry, his son Harold and C. Burpee Berry.
    Frenchman’s Dutch oven — A page-one photo featured Nickerson Lake camp owner Edmund Deveau showing off his elaborate Dutch oven which captures heat in the bricks to cook food and much more.
    Summer fun in Island Falls — Joe Edwards, owner and manager of Birch Point at Pleasant Lake, has started a summer recreation program that includes boating, swimming and a bowling league.
25 Years Ago-July 8, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Town champs — Playing for the Merrill Bank Little League team, under coaches Doug Swallow, Dave Sewell and John White, and winning the championship were Bryan Swallow, John White, Paul Austin, Frank Smith, Dane Willard, Andrew Peabody, David Smith, Albert Putnam, Joey Sewell, Daniel Peabody, Ben Cole and Peter Austin.
    Hole in one — Jim Carr had a hole-in-one on No. 3 playing a five iron on the 145-yard par three hole at Houlton Community Golf Course. He was presented with a gold-plated putter by Jerry York of York Ford.
    Promoted — David I. Dorsey, president and CEO of Key Bank of Northern Maine, has announced the promotion of Dana A. Worthley to assistant vice president and commercial loan business development officer. He joined the bank in 1977 as an installment loan collector in Houlton.