Caribou Trotting Park 1914 to 1926

The following text was provided by the Caribou Public Library. The text may be excerpts typed from the Aroostook Republican.

-- July 17, 1913 --

Trotting Park assured -- The indications are now that Caribou will have, in the near future a trotting park. For several years the matter has been discussed and various plans made, locations suggested, etc., and today the prospects are much brighter than for some time. S.E. Griffin, who served the town for two years as second selectman, and who has taken an active interest in the new project, has given the matter much much actual work in getting the matter before the public in some tangible form. He has been calling on the businessmen for subscriptions and has met with signal success, over one-half the amount required having been pledged, as our citizens are taking hold of the matter with a great deal of enthusiasm.

-- July 31, 1913 --

A large number of the subscribers of the Caribou Trotting Park and Fair Association met in P. of H. dining hall Wednesday evening. It was voted to incorporate under the laws of the State of Maine and the following name was adopted -- The Caribou Trotting Park and Fair Association. The new association is capitalized at $50,000. It was voted that all signers of the original paper for purpose of organizing the association be considered as original holders.

O.L. Keyes, Chairman -- S.E. Griffin, President -- J.D. Chappelle, Assistant Secretary -- N.A. Currier, Vice President -- L.E. Tuttle, Vice President -- E.J. Briggs, Vice President -- E.F. Shaw, Vice President -- Milo Whittier, Treasurer -- J.B. Kelley, Director -- Charles H. Baird, Director -- Murray Briggs, Director -- G.W. Thompson, Director -- A.J. McDougal, Director -- H.O. Stevens, Director -- W.L. Collins, Director -- John McElwain, Director -- H.S. Mitton, Director -- L.J. Pendell, Director

Grover M. Hardison, Civil Engineer, was present, and submitted a plan for the new track, which he had recently surveyed, sowing the grade to be very light with good prospects of a fine race track

-- August 14, 1913 --

"The new trotting park is at present a lively place. There are a dozen teams and a large force of men at work grading the track and putting the grounds in proper condition. The work is under the supervision of Mr. Hackett, who had charge of grading the Houlton track and putting the grounds in proper condition, and who thoroughly understands just what is required."

"This 28 acre property was located north of Teague Park and close to the high school. During my years in high school, the area was used for track and field events and other sports. Much credit should be given the farsighted town fathers and to the planning committee that recognized the need for additional land for town use. The property was purchased in 1928 from the Aroostook Trust Company for $20,000 on a 12 year rental contract with interest making the total cost of the purchase $35,000. This is where the first armory and town garage were built in the 1930s.

During the days when the property was still owned by the Trotting Park Association, the annual Caribou Fairs were held and considered quite the events. The fairs attracted people from a wide area. They had all types of exhibits in the exhibition hall under the grandstand, horse races, pony races, vaudeville acts, balloon ascensions, fireworks and plenty of food to eat at the food booths of churches and other organizations."

-- Life and times of Grover Merrill Hardison (1885 to 1950) by Lewis Merrill Hardison, 1986