This study examines the persistent, though often overlooked, practice of material reuse in francophone Switzerland, exploring advertisements from 1851 to 1968 that illustrate a continuous and practical approach to reclaiming construction materials. These ads reveal reuse as an adaptable and community-centered practice, enduring even as industrialization reshaped construction priorities. By analyzing 21 ads and categorizing them into six core themes-including community resilience, public authority involvement, and heritage preservation-this paper underscores reuse as a culturally embedded and economically driven norm. By drawing comparisons with other European contexts, the study highlights how historical reuse principles might inform contemporary circular economy frameworks, especially concerning community-based material networks and ethical considerations in heritage conservation.