Before railroad tracks tamed the prairie, people traveled by stagecoach. Here and there, the remnants of their old routes can be traced, including at Cato, the first town in Crawford County.
Several volunteers gathered Saturday to clear brush from the old stagecoach bridge, situated over a creek that trickles between the Cato Christian Church and the Cato School.
“We want to repair the old bridge,” said Susie Stelle of the Cato Historical Preservation Association. “Besides preserving the beauty of the old bridge, we want to create a walking route between the church and the school.”
She said the church, which seats 80 to 100, would make a nice wedding chapel, and receptions could follow at the school.
“We still have some plaster work to do in the school, but eventually we want to invite all the schools in the county to send in students for programs at the school,” Stelle said. “We have two teachers, Anna and Elizabeth Portwood, who will dress in long dresses and present the programs.”
Working Saturday were Danny Craig, Ralph Carlson and Katharine Spigarelli, who lives in Webb City, Mo.
Craig, Cato area resident, used his truck to pull some of the brush and vines from the area, and also started a fire to burn some of it out.
“We’re making progress,” Carlson said.
Anyone wishing to donate for the project may mail contributions to the Cato Historical Preservation Association in care of Susie Stelle, 602 W. Martin, Pittsburg, Kan., 66762.
