Regarding "Fort Kent"

[jhetley]

For those of you (ignorant of history) who wonder why we have a Fort in the middle of the howling wilderness, this reflects an unfortunate incident in which Aggressive Canadian Expansionists attempted to overrun the peace-loving potato farmers of northern Maine.  Needless to say, our heroic agrarians repulsed the invaders.  I believe a "spud gun" may have been involved.

Comments

[edschweppe.livejournal.com]

Howling wildernesses are traditionally where one puts forts, with the expectation that eventually civilization will develop around the nucleus.

Whether or not that expectation was met, in the case of Fort Kent, Maine, is left to the reader's judgment.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Those wishing to know more may consult http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aroostook_War

As wars go, it has to rank as one of the most civilized ever.