
07/10/2025
Around 1910, in Baker City, Oregon, the Geo. M. D. Legg Store stood as a local hub where goods were exchanged, and cash was offered for items like poultry, butter, and eggs. This arrangement reflected the agricultural roots of the area, where local farmers and residents could trade their produce for much-needed cash or supplies. The store likely served as both a marketplace and a social gathering spot, offering an essential connection between the farming community and the town’s economy.
Baker City, situated in eastern Oregon, was primarily agricultural at the time, with many families relying on the sale of livestock, dairy, and farm produce to sustain themselves. Geo. M. D. Legg’s offer to pay cash for poultry, butter, and eggs highlights the importance of these items as local currency. In an era before widespread banking systems and credit, cash exchanges for everyday goods were crucial for survival, especially in rural areas where cash flow was often limited.
The store, with its simple yet direct offer, also reflects the community’s reliance on barter and trade systems. People didn't always have access to cash, but they could provide products from their farms in exchange for money or other essentials. In this way, Geo. M. D. Legg’s store played a key role in facilitating the exchange of goods and supporting the local economy of Baker City during the early 20th century.