Cato Historical Preservation Association

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Cato Historical Preservation Association The Cato Historical Preservation Association was established in 2005 to ensure the preservation of the Cato School, a one-room schoolhouse in Cato, Kansas.

We had a great turnout at our Cato Tour Day, thanks to great weather and a reunion of the Coonrod family, with people co...
10/04/2026

We had a great turnout at our Cato Tour Day, thanks to great weather and a reunion of the Coonrod family, with people coming from Maryland, Alaska, Florida, and Colorado. Everyone who attended in the morning and came to the presentation at the church was treated to the premiere of our Cato video, produced by Jacob Anselmi and Creative 124. Carl Brenner followed with some great history of the settlement of Cato. Jim Harris treated us to some period music and Abraham Lincoln (aka Wayne Bockleman) gave a touching recitation of the Gettysburg Address. Our Portwood girls, Anna & Elizabeth, and James Thompson gave a fun presentation of a day in a one-room schoolhouse. The Players Circle entertained us with music at lunch and everyone was treated to a great meal prepared by Mighty MO Chuckwagon (Shawn Pryer & Tony Quade). We had a great auction with donations from Goings Enterprises of Girard, Mighty MO Chuckwagon, Southwind Cycle of Pittsburg, In the Garden, Shirley Hensley, Girard Auto Supply, and VanBecelaere Greenhouse of Pittsburg. We had the drawing for the beautiful quilt and a wagon ride to the Coonrod Cemetery. It was a great day.

Cato Kids' Day today! The weather cooperated and everything turned out great. Here are just a few pics. Tomorrow is o...
10/03/2026

Cato Kids' Day today! The weather cooperated and everything turned out great. Here are just a few pics. Tomorrow is our Cato Tour Day and we have some great things in store. Hope you'll join us. There will be barrel train rides for the kids, presentations in the church and school, and some great food for lunch. After lunch we'll take a wagon ride to the historic Coonrod Cemetery.

Just a couple more pics…
10/01/2026

Just a couple more pics…

10/01/2026

Today was “Tent Day”, aka work day at Cato. We had a great team to put up ten tents, unload around 35 bales of straw, and do a variety of other tasks in preparation for our big weekend. I didn’t take a lot of pictures - hopefully there will be some more. But, just a shout out to everyone who helped. We’re looking forward to a great event. Hope to see you there!

09/28/2026

We are so excited for all the wonderful things happening this year at Cato and this is one of them. Jacob Anselmi and his company, Creative Productions, created an amazing and historical record of Cato, the first community in Southeast Kansas. Come and enjoy the video and stay for our other presentations: a Cavalry Saber demonstration, a re-enactment of Settler Removal, presentation of a day in an 1800s one-room schoolhouse, music by The Players Circle, lunch by Mighty MO Chuckwagon, train rides for the littles by Southeast Kansas Old Time Steam and Tractor Club, a quilt raffle, a wagon ride around the area and MORE! Visit our website: catoschool.com for more information and pics from previous Cato Days. Hope to see you!

Have you purchased your quilt raffles yet? They are just $1 for one or 6 for $5. They are available from Cato HPA membe...
09/23/2026

Have you purchased your quilt raffles yet? They are just $1 for one or 6 for $5. They are available from Cato HPA members or at Cato Days. It’s a beautiful quilt and a piece of history. The quilt was pieced by Rose James, long-time Cato resident and quilted by member Shirley Hensley.
Cato Days are coming up soon - just nine days away!

09/18/2026

We are excited to announce that Cato will have the little tractor-pulled train at Cato Days this year, thanks to the Southeast Kansas Old Time Gas Engine and Tractor Club. Bring your kids and grandkids for a ride!

09/18/2026

The Cato HPA is excited to announce that on Saturday, October 3rd, for Cato Days, the Southeast Kansas Old Time Gas Engine and Tractor Club will have their little tractor pulled train for kids to ride. Rides are free and will take kids around the grounds. Bring your kids and grandkids. The club is also bringing some of their antique tractors. Hoping you'll all come and enjoy. Spread the word!

09/18/2026

Just two weeks from today, little Cato, Kansas will be hosting around 600 4th and 5th graders for Cato Kids' Day, plus their teachers, paras, and bus drivers. In addition to all of the visitors, we will have presenters, chuck wagon cooks, volunteers, representatives from the Crawford County Sheriff's dept. and EMT, reporters from the local media and... maybe even you! Cato will have lots of life and excitement on Friday, October 2nd. It will be a fun day. Come and check it out!

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Cato, KS
66711

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