Maine Memory Network

Presque Isle: The Star City - Potato Starch Factory, c. 1965

"Potatoes that are not suitable for sale as table stock are processed into starch or cattle feed. View additional information about this item on the…"

Presque Isle: The Star City - Harvesting Potatoes - Page 1 of 13

"… as late as the 1950s farmers hauled potatoes to starch factories. Former potato farmer Larry Park talks about starch factories in Presque Isle."

Presque Isle: The Star City - Phair House, the Bellstead and the Social Security Building

"… known as the “Starch King” because he was in the potato starch business. He was born in New York in 1850."

Presque Isle: The Star City - History of Presque Isle

"The potato became so important that in 1913 Thomas Phair and other leading Presque Isle businessmen convinced the state legislature to fund the…"

Presque Isle: The Star City - Aroostook Valley Railroad

"… freight typically consisted of potatoes, lumber, starch, and hay while inbound freight was fertilizer, grain, and flour."

Presque Isle: The Star City - John R Braden

"Phair in the lumber and starch business where he toiled for 30 years. The Mooseleuk Club decided at the time they purchased Braden that “Uncle” John…"

Maine's Swedish Colony, July 23, 1870 - The Colony Continues to Grow, 1874 - 1900

"… churches, three parsonages, seven schools, two starch factories, five shingle mills, 305 houses, 362 barns, and 71 miles of roads."

Aroostook Historical and Art Museum

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Acadian Archives

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