This was The Houston House in Mattawamkeag. Was a popular hangout in the early 70's. Had a bar and served pub food. Also served as a hotel and hosted bands and other performers. Originally built as a public house/stage coach stop. Henry David Thoreau wrote about this place on his way to explore Katahdin. Building was torn down and this is now the location for the towns veterans memorial. The Mattawamkeag River flows in the background.

It was the Osgood House before the Houston House. It was owned by Theo and Henry Osgood

didn't it burn?

IT WAS TAKE DOWN IN 1990 BY GEORGE HUSSEY

Prunella was the cook and friends with my mother atthe old farm inn. It burned down

It was owned by Tom Houston and Louise Boutot, my mother's older sister & the back extension was an apartment for my Grandfather, Charles Boutot.
Mother was Marion Boutot - Betters and I went there often while at the U of Maine and even in the the early 1950s.

Nancy Michaud

Yes it did burn down Nancy and Pru was the cook when I visited.
If anyone wishes to correspond about the hotel ; udtone21@gmail.com

Whoever the cook was in 1957, they did a great job!!!!! One of my most favorite stops on my paper route, especially in the winter!!!!!

Back in the 80's growing up the Houston House was still there; we lived down the street, and during summers my friends and I would climb in the back door window that was broken and explore the old hotel (without the town cop old Terry Thompson catching us). The basement was creepy and rat infested but the rest of the hotel was cool. we even had a room that was in good condition on the first floor as our "hideout".

Forster Mfg. Co. of Wilton, Maine had 5 mills in the state, one in Mattawamkeag, and I was one of many Forster Employees who stayed at the Houston House when we had projects to do at that mill. So many Forster people stayed there over the years it was like we were part of the hotel “family”! Arris Nadeau was plant manager when I first started going there in the 70s, then Darrell Toothaker in the 80s. A couple of us helped the lady owner of the Houston House move some things at her house nearby, and I still remember Mary Beaulieu, who was a young waitress at the hotel. Forster’s paid for our rooms and meals (and a drink!)

Forster Mfg. Co. of Wilton, Maine had 5 mills in the state, one in Mattawamkeag, and I was one of many Forster Employees who stayed at the Houston House when we had projects to do at that mill. So many Forster people stayed there over the years it was like we were part of the hotel “family”! Arris Nadeau was plant manager when I first started going there in the 70s, then Darrell Toothaker in the 80s. A couple of us helped the lady owner of the Houston House move some things at her house nearby, and I still remember Mary Beaulieu, who was a young waitress at the hotel. Forster’s paid for our rooms and meals (and a drink!)

Some other Forster folks who stayed there, Herb Neil, Bob Sween, Fred Elliot, Harold Ranger, Jerry Beauford.

Todd McLeod
I think that I now live in your old house on Willow Street. We bought it in December of 2019 and have done a bit of work so far. We are painting it navy blue this summer.

Kimberly, love to hear that; lots of great memories in that house. I would love to see the renovations if you feel like sharing. redsox4prez@gmail.com.

Yes I have a comment about my Aunt Janet and Uncle John Boutot owned and operated the Houston House when I was a child in the late 1940s. I lived in Brunswick, Maine with 4 other siblings and my mother. We used to travel up north and stayed at the Houston House for several days each year.

I remember the Houston house. Worked as a waitress in 1970. Ardella Taylor was the cook. She was a amazing cook. Stoped working there after Janet sold it to aman who changed it to a lounge with a band.