Page 31 - Newsletter_Winter_2021

McDonald’s Houlton location opened its doors on the modern McCafé style restaurant building. In 2019,
Dec. 16, 1975, under the ownership of Ed and Dawn it was Presque Isle’s turn for a new building as the Star
Degenhardt. They started their franchise experience with a City’s McDonald’s was torn down and rebuilt with stylings
location in Millinocket in 1974, with a promise from the similar to the Houlton location.
McDonald’s corporation that a restaurant would be opened
in Houlton the following year. Her father’s passing in August made it a little bit easier for
Abbotoni to let go of the family business, she said.
The Degenhardts retired from the business in 2008, with
the Abbotonis taking over the franchise that included “I am sure he would have been shocked, but he would have
restaurants in Calais (added in 1980); Lincoln (1982); understood,” she said. “There was always a concern with
and Presque Isle and Caribou (purchased in 2003). The him about the heavy weight this business placed on my
Millinocket location was sold in 2008. shoulders.”

In 2017, the original Houlton location, with its one-of-a-
kind working fireplace, was demolished and replaced with

Editor’s Note: As you all know fall hunting has remained a popular past time for the “men” and many ladies of Aroostook. Somehow
I don’t think today’s men are a match for the “Houlton men of the ‘90’s” - that is 1890’s! Take a look – pretty tough looking bunch and
they didn’t own razors! Photos courtesy of the Aroostook Historical and Arts Museum - Houlton

Group picture of leading Houlton citizens - 1895

A group picture shows some leading Houlton citizens at Camp
Caribou. From left are Charles West, author of The Aroostook
Woods; Walter West M.D.; (unidentified); George B. Dunn;
Thomas Westabrook; and Walter Mansur.

Walter Mansur at Camp Caribou - 1895

Walter Mansur with the result of a successful hunt hanging at
Charles West's Camp Caribou.

In 1882 Walter Mansur was President of the First National Bank
of Houlton, President of the Houlton Water Company and Chief
Engineer of the Houlton Fire Department. In 1892 he was the first
President of the Houlton Fish and Game Association.

Charles West, Houlton - 1885
Charles C. West (1820-1903), author of "Sketches of Camp Life in the Wilds of the
Aroostook Woods, Aroostook County, Maine," owned a livery stable in Houlton, was
a taxidermist and, in later years, a woodsman and hunting and fishing guide.

Charles West dedicated his book to his close friend, Walter Mansur and was a
frequent subject of E. (Edward) B. White's photographs.

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