The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce

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Discover what the Houlton Maine area has to offer

Recreation in southern Aroostook takes on many faces.  For those who prefer to stay inside there's bowling, beano/bingo, movies, roller-skating, ice-skating and more.  Public suppers held in churches, and community buildings are great opportunities to meet people and sample local cuisine.



Southern Aroostook really shines when it comes to outdoor recreation.  Along with the rest of Aroostook County, southern Aroostook offers some of the best snowmobiling in the northeast.  Trail maps are available through the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Centers.  Check the local snowmobile clubs for winter fun and games such as poker runs, Saturday breakfasts, and organized social events.

Cyclists and ATV enthusiasts will also find something of interest.  The Maine Dept. of Transportation publishes a Maine Bike Map that includes the Katahdin Bike Loop, a 60 mile loop that includes the Northern Maine Woods, Maine's highest peak and lots of opportunities to see wildlife.  The loop begins and ends in Island Falls.  For those who prefer a motor, check out the Maine ATV Trail Map published by the Maine Dept. of Conservation.  The Houlton Phair Junction trip makes use of old railroad beds that travel through wetlands, woods, and fields for approximately 40 miles.  In June and July keep your eyes open for Lady's Slipper orchids blooming along the trailside. 
Many of southern Aroostook's bodies of water have launch sites.  Some have ramps while others are carry-in.  In addition to the Macwahoc and Wytopitlock Stream Canoe Trips described in DeLorme's Maine Atlas, available in local stores, there are other canoe trips worth taking during high water.  For a taste of real backwoods adventure put in at Mattawamkeag Lake in Island Falls
 and follow the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River to Haynesville.  Primitive campsites along the way require a fire permit for open fires.  Call the Maine Forest Service Island Falls office 207-463-2331 to have a permit issued.  Campsites are on a first come basis.
For a day of quiet paddling and a chance to share the landscape with a host of waterfowl, check out the Lt. Gordon Manuel Game Management area in Hodgdon.  You can put in at the dairy bar in Hodgdon or at the boat launch on the Horseback Road.  Keep your eyes peeled for eagles, osprey, herons, beavers, ducks and moose.  Wet a line to coax trout and pickerel into your creel.
If you prefer motorboats and water sleds head for the larger lakes: Grand, Pleasant, Mattawamkeag, Nickerson, and Drews Lakes.  All have public ramps and Grand Lake has boating services.
Golfers, head for the greens at Houlton Community Golf Course and Va-Jo-Wa Golf Course in Island Falls. Or head for the playing fields to watch local teams compete.

                            There's lots to do in southern Aroostook!

 

Historic Southern Aroostook Offers a tale of many cultures and peaceful international conflict. Before the arrival of European American settlers, the area was home to the Maliseet (Malacite) and some MicMac (MikMaq) Indians.  After the American Revolution, the state of Massachusetts, which claimed much of what is now Maine, offered land grants in the northeastern part of their territory.

In 1801, Joseph Houlton and John Putnam, surveyed the public lands in Penobscot and Washington counties, and were approached by a Native American, offering to show them "good land." Their guide took them northeast via a series of rivers and overland trails to the Meduxnekeag River.  The men were sufficiently impressed with the land and returned south with recommendations for settling the area.

1805 saw settlers journeying to the new settlement by way of the Saint John River to Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada and over to what would become the town of Houlton.  They had their work cut out for them;in those days if the property wasn't a body of water, then it was a forest.

A gristmill was one of the first businesses in the area.  With time lumbering and tanning became major industries thanks to the enormous resource of forested land.  As the land was cleared, the new residents discovered they had perfect soil for growing potatoes.  Farms and starch factories sprang up to take advantage of their good fortune.  Things were so good that many a logging and potato baron was made in this northern New England outpost.  In fact well into the 20th century the Houlton area had the largest number of millionaires per capita in the country.

To fuel these industries, local Native Americans were employed to work in the fields and woods.  Later many Irish fleeing the potato famine in Ireland settled in the area and added their strong backs to the labor force.

Relations between the Canadians and the Americans were strong.  Goods and people flowed easily between the borders.  When the War of 1812 broke out, the people of southern Aroostook sent an emissary to Woodstock to assure the Canadians of their good will.  The Canadians also sent representatives with the same message.  Today many families have relatives on both sides.

To learn more about southern Aroostook's history including: the Bloodless Aroostook War, the log drives, wagon trains and the German POW camp visit the museums and historical sites listed below.

Bridgewater: 
Bicentennial Park
Town Hall Historic Building

Houlton:
Aroostook Historical & Art Museum
109 Main Street   (207) 532-4216
Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day
Mon. - Fri., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. & by appointment

Market Square Historic District
1890 - 1910 architecture
Walking tour maps available at Chamber office
109 Main Street
Island Falls:
Webb Museum of Vintage Fashions
US Rte. 2  (207) 463-2404
Open 1st week of June thru 1st week of October.  Mon. - Thurs., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fri. & Sun. by appointment
Littleton:
Watson Settlement Covered Bridge
Follow signs from US Rte. 1

Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum
located at 1678 US Highway 1 , Littleton
Tel. 207-538-9300
e-mail: info@oldplow.org
website: www.oldplow.org     Open May 31st thru Oct 6th (Thurs. - Sat. 1 pm to 4 pm)
Oakfield:
Oakfield Railroad Museum
Station Street  (207) 757-8575
Open Memorial Day thru Labor Day
Sat.  Noon - 4 p.m.  Sun.  1 - 4 p.m.
Patten:
Patten Lumberman's Museum
Rte. 159  (207) 528-2650
Open Memorial Day thru September 
Tues. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.   Sun. 11 a.m. -4p.m.

 

 

The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce
109 Main Street
Houlton ME 04730
 
(207) 532-4216
 
chamber@greaterhoulton.com