Houlton, Maine

Aroostook County

23-33980

Houlton is a town in the state of Maine in the United States and the administrative seat of Aroostook County.

Geography

The city is located in the south of the village in northeastern Maine Aroostook County on Meduxnekeag River on the border with Canada. In Houlton is the northern terminus of U.S. Interstate 95, which runs parallel to the east coast of the United States.

History

Prior to white settlement the area was inhabited by Houlton Maliseet and Passamaquoddy of.

The town was founded in 1807 by Joseph Houlton, of which he also received his name. 1828 Hancock Barracks military base was established. Three years later, in 1831, the government of the settlement was named town. During the Aroostook War, three companies of the 1st Artillery Regiment stationed in Houlton. After the end of hostilities with the British colonies of the military post was disbanded in 1847.

1970 was established by the cooperation of the local Indian tribes and the Ricker College in Houlton, the Association of Aroostook Indians (AAI ).

Economy and infrastructure

Traffic

The city was in the late 1860s connected through the Houlton Branch Railroad to the Canadian rail network. The connection with the network of U.S. railroads was only in 1893 by the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad. The lines to Caribou and Canada have been shut down, the passenger rail service to Houlton already ended on September 4, 1961.

The main burden of road traffic to and from Houlton carries Interstate 95, which ends at the city. Due to its proximity to the Canadian border, the city is a major transit point.

Three kilometers east of the city has an airport, the Houlton International Airport. Currently (2007) taking place only charter flights. The airport is also home to a flight school.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Alton Kelley (1940-2008), artist
• Samantha Smith (1972-1985), actress and peace activist