Cato, Kansas facts for kids

Cato is a small, historic community in Crawford County, Kansas, United States. It's an "unincorporated community," which means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Cato is known for its important role in the early history of Southeast Kansas.

The Story of Cato

Cato was started a long time ago, in 1854. Imagine what life was like back then! By 1867, just 13 years later, Cato already had a few important businesses. There was a store where people could buy supplies, a blacksmith who made and fixed metal tools, and a sawmill that cut wood for building.

Firsts in the County

Many people believe Cato was the very first community built in the Southeast Kansas area. It holds several "firsts" for Crawford County. It had the first grist mill, which was a place to grind grain into flour. It also had the first coal mining operation, digging for fuel. Cato was also home to the first school in the county and hosted the first County Fair.

Cato was never a very large town. Its biggest population was in 1910, when 112 people lived there.

What Remains Today

Today, only a few historic buildings show where Cato once thrived. There's an old, one-room stone schoolhouse that was built in 1869. This schoolhouse is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also remaining are the Cato Christian Church, built in 1915, and a stone bridge. This bridge was once part of a stagecoach route, a path used by horse-drawn carriages carrying people and mail.

Cato's Annual Pioneer Festival

Each year, the Cato Historical Preservation Association hosts a special weekend event. This festival reminds everyone of the pioneer days, when the community was first settled. The festival includes tours of the historic area, live music, and tasty food. There are also exciting re-enactments, sometimes showing moments between early settlers and lawmen. It's a fun way to learn about the past!