Houlton offers a welcoming, small-town life with scenic surroundings
Life in Houlton, the county seat of Aroostook County, offers a small-town setting rich in history and cross-border connectivity. Home to just over 6,000 residents, Houlton sits at the northernmost terminus of Interstate 95, where it meets the TransCanada Highway at the Canada-U.S. border. The Meduxnekeag River winds through the heart of Houlton, curving around the downtown area and flowing past Houlton Riverfront Park. Residents are attracted to the town’s close-knit community mindset and outdoor lifestyle, as natural surroundings offer year-round recreation. “Some people recognize that sense of community that you don’t always get in other places,” says Nancy Ketch, the town’s Economic & Community Development Director who was born and raised in Houlton. “We have this welcome committee, the Gateway Ambassadors, that greets new residents. And oftentimes, those new people will then get involved. The community wants to give back, that’s the atmosphere.” Ketch also emphasizes that many residents appreciate the remote lifestyle, being able to work from home and enjoy the outdoors. “A lot of people have moved here for remote work because we have some of the best broadband in the state,” Ketch says. “And we are surrounded by beautiful lakes, so a lot of people have a seasonal camp around the outskirts.”
Market Square is the heart of town with local dining and retail
The dining scene in Houlton offers a cozy and diverse mix of local favorites that reflect the town’s regional flavors. In the heart of downtown, Market Square serves as a central hub for shopping and dining, supported by initiatives like the Main Street Maine Downtown Network program, which helps attract both U.S. and Canadian visitors. “We’re the largest town in the southern part of Aroostook County, and we’re a service center community,” Ketch says. “Even if people live near the surrounding lakes, they’re doing their primary shopping in our town. We also have the library, the hospital and more commercial places.” Cary Library is located on Main Street, and Houlton Regional Hospital is nearby.
Market Square features several eateries, including The Vault Restaurant, known for its creative American cuisine in a historic setting, while Bastions Tavern provides a laid-back sports bar atmosphere. Next door, Market Pizza is the go-to for a slice and a craft beer on tap. Houlton Community Market is a farmers market held each Saturday in Market Square from Memorial Day through mid-October, offering locally grown produce and artisan crafts. For year-round local items, The County Co-Op & Farm Store has a wide selection of Maine-made products and supports local artists. For larger grocery hauls, there’s a County Yankee and a Hannaford in town.
Historic downtown blends architecture, culture and celebration
In addition to being home to Houlton’s dining and markets, Market Square has historic significance and hosts a variety of community events that celebrate local culture. “Main Street in Market Square has a lot of buildings that are on the Register of Historical Places,” Ketch adds. “That area is a focal point for many community events.” Amazeen House was a former hotel built in 1882, and Aroostook County Courthouse and Jail was completed in 1859. Blackhawk Putnam Tavern, constructed in 1813, is the oldest building in town, and the Unitarian Church of Houlton blends medieval and Gothic Revival architectural elements. “There are many denominations of churches here, so people can always find a place to worship if they wish,” Ketch adds. Also located downtown, The Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1895, stands out with a striking white facade and intricate woodwork, reflecting the High Victorian style.
In the summer, Midnight Madness brings residents to Market Square to enjoy a nighttime craft market, live performances, a road race and fireworks over the Gateway Crossing Bridge. “It’s always packed with people, and has been for almost 40 years,” Ketch says. “In 2024, we were in the solar eclipse’s path of totality, which brought people out from California, Miami, you name it. We got a lot of exposure, as NASA, NBC, CNN and the Weather Channel were all broadcasting from here.” In the fall, the Harvest Festival allows the community to support local farmers, and in the spring, The Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race is a lighthearted way to usher in the water-sports season. And attendees leave with Aroostook County potatoes as a parting gift.
Houlton has year-round recreation from hiking to indoor skating
Houlton provides different recreational opportunities, from downtown green spaces to seasonal trails. Monument Park, with its amphitheater and open green space, occasionally hosts craft markets and community gatherings. “McGill’s Community Band, started by David McGillicuddy, who was the school music teacher for a while, plays at Monument Park. It’s a beautiful location,” says Ketch. “This summer is their 40th season. My friend plays in it, as does my former classmate and her son. Despite it being a small town, there are a lot of ways for residents to get involved.” The John Millar Civic Center serves as a hub for indoor activities, including roller skating, ice skating, hockey, as well as conventions and trade shows. Riverside Park offers kayaking on the Meduxnekeag River and a scenic 3-mile walking trail that crosses the Gateway Crossing Bridge. The bridge was originally built in 1813 to give settlers access to the other side of town.
For outdoor enthusiasts willing to venture a bit farther, BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill, about 30 miles north, offers hiking and skiing. Aroostook State Park, 40 miles away, provides hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. Golfers can enjoy the Houlton Community Golf Club, a 9-hole course with membership options, located just west of town on Nickerson Lake. The outskirts of town and the surrounding areas feature extensive networks of snowmobile and ATV trails, making Houlton a well-rounded destination for recreation in every season.
In-town historic homes and rural Cape Cods range in size and price
The housing market in Houlton offers a range of New England styles, with a median sale price of around $169,000. Approximately 55% of residents own their homes, while 45% rent. Closer to town, homes are typically situated along quiet residential lanes with lot sizes ranging from a quarter-acre to a half-acre, often shaded by maple, elm, and pine trees. On the outskirts, properties become more secluded, with houses set on lots over an acre along narrow, unmarked roads surrounded by farmland. Buyers can find seasonal cabins with under 500 square feet starting around $50,000, while older Cape Cod-style homes in need of renovations can range from $50,000 to $75,000. Move-in-ready homes with between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet of living space, including Colonial, Federal, Victorian, and farmhouse styles, typically span from $85,000 to $335,000.
Houlton public schools and The Judge serve community students
Houlton students can attend kindergarten through second grade at Houlton Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche. Students can advance to Houlton Southside School, which holds a B-minus, for third through sixth grade. Houlton Middle/High School serves seventh through 12th grade learners and earns a 4 out of 10 GreatSchools rating. The school’s mascot is The Shires, although the newly appointed character The Judge parades around at athletic games. The town decided that this mascot better depicts Houlton's representation as the county seat.
The northern end of Interstate 95 links to the TransCanada Highway
Interstate 95 traverses through Houlton, connecting residents to the TransCanada Highway across the Canadian border. “Traditionally, people will go back and forth to Canada quite a bit for dining and events, and vice versa,” Ketch says. U.S. Route 2 also merges onto the Canadian Highway after making its way across town, intersecting with U.S. Route 1 at the Market Square area. Nearby, the Houlton Regional Hospital is a full-service hospital. On the town’s east side, Houlton International Airport is a supports general aviation and small planes. For commercial flights, residents will need to travel a bit further. “We have three commercial airports in Maine, Portland being the farthest,” Ketch says. “Presque Isle International Airport is about 45 minutes north and Bangor International Airport is an hour and a half south.” No public bus or train service the car-dependent community.
Houlton sees cold New England winters and mild summers
Houlton experiences a classic northern New England climate with cold and snowy winters that reach an average low of 2 degrees and an annual snowfall of 71 inches. Summers are mild, capping around 78 degrees.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
