While looking through the village of Cato's advertising scrapbooks, I was amazed and interested to see how many changes have been made since the early 1900s. The village went from self-sustaining to a bedroom community with fewer services.

The shops were small, yet they met the needs of their customers. Ready-made men's suits could be purchased from Frank Moore for $22.50 to $35, ladies all-wool dresses were $8.50 to $10. Groceries were also available in the store. M.M Hunter store also sold clothing with men's shirts at $1 each. Turner's Drug Store sold along with drugs, confectioneries, Colgate shaving soap for 5 cents, Colgate toothpaste for 15 cents, a 21-pound bag of raisins for 17 cents, and a box of 12 cigars which sold anywhere from 50 cents to $1.90. Taber's Meat Market had a good assortment of meats. The Market Basket provided a wide range of groceries.

To meet the homeowners' needs, Cato Electric sold electric ranges for $59 to $290, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Wallace Bradt not only sold coal, but Kelvinator refrigerators, Philco radios for $185, as well as farm equipment such as John Deere tractors.

Frank Briggs sold furniture such as a push bottom Morris chair, carpets, curtains, shades and sewing machines.

C.S. Dutton had a photo shop. Taber Motors sold Chevrolets and radios. A 1928 Ford Roadster went for $335, while a six-cylinder truck cost $520. Pooler Hardware had an assortment of lamps, such as kerosene, electric, and oil stoves along with the regular hardware supplies.

For the farmers, the Cato Milling Company had grain, and wheat, which was milled into flour, as well as ground grain and dried corn. The mill is still standing today. Hapeman and Van Dusen sold cream seperators, axes for 25 cents to $1, and hand sleds for 25 cents, as well as furnaces.

Homer Bevier sold gasoline engines, saws and electric washers. E.Q. Dutton manufactured plows, hog troughs, stone boat fronts, stoves and building hangers.

There are many more interesting ads for insurance, jewelers and opticians.

The Cato Institute provided care for people with addictions, activities at the Grange Hall included round and square dances, plays, movies and interesting programs.

To meet the medical needs of families were surgeon and physician Dr. T.H. Ross, physician Dr. Charles Lang, and dentist Dr. John Savery, who also served as a major in the Civil War. All of the above were in ads are from the years 1900 to 1930.

Today, many of the stores have closed, except for those who have the basic needs. The advent of the automobile and good roads, local residents have an easy access to shopping malls with their many selections of goods.

People like living in a rural community, but enjoy the advantage of shopping in a large commercial area.

Margaret Sweetman is historian for the village of Cato