Shopping Locally, even in 1907

SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGN 1907
The Baker County Library was kind enough to put aside for me a copy of the 1907 promotional brochure titled Baker City: The Metropolis of Eastern Oregon. This booklet was designed to lure prospective residents, farmers, ranchers, and businesses; it is filled with advertising and information about Baker City and Baker County, heralding Baker City as the most favored region of the great Northwest.
“It is a region where nature has stored away with great profusion her untold mineral treasures; a region of beautiful valleys with matchless soil; magnificent mountains, hills, trees and rivers; a region with a stimulating, vigorous, health-giving climate. Hither are coming the awakening multitudes of the Eastern States—the hard-toiling farmer, the city man, wearied of the daily grind of soul-less occupation, the scholar, the mechanic, the laborer, lured by the irresistible call of “the West”, to the land where there is a joy in living, and where men forget to grow old.”
The back page of the booklet is most surprising of all; readers are urged to shop locally!
“All of us have to spend money. There is an art to spending it where it will do the most good. If spent so that it will circulate around this community, it will help this community. You belong to this community. Therefore it will help you. Isn’t that good logic. Suppose you think it over next time you pick up the Mail Order Catalogue.”
Whether a hundred years ago or today, the self-reliance of a community and local ownership of businesses are critical requirements for a sustainable and prosperous economy. Locally owned businesses maintain the unique local character and diversity of our community. Additionally, dollars spent at locally owned businesses have three times the impact on the community as dollars spent at national chains. Our new Shop Local campaign suggests you put your money where your house is– Shop Baker!
•Ann Mehaffy, Program Director