Prior to 1820 Maine was a district of the commonwealth of Massachusetts and for English settlers looking to homestead without moving west, Maine was a great opportunity. Houlton, now the County Seat, was settled in 1807 by its namesake Joseph Houlton. Many English settlers also came to this newly settled area of Maine from New Brunswick. In 1828 the US Government established a military post in Houlton to protect its interests in this area from British logging companies operating from Canada. With the added security of the military and the potential for gaining wealth in farming and timber, immigrants came steadily to stake their claim. Bringing with them Yankee ingenuity and New England work ethic. The dominant culture of Southern and Central Aroostook since this time has been English, influencing the architecture, arts and cuisine.