First Official Store

Around 1870 the first official store, referred to as ‘The Little Wonder’ was built by Dongara merchant and commercial agent Samuel Fortescue Moore, on the site of the present IGA, Lot 72, 52 Midlands Rd.
It was the second building erected in the Mingenew town site. The store sold a wide variety of goods including groceries, drapery, clothing, hardware, and alcohol. He was an agent for insurance, rent collection, income tax returns, and machinery.
He stocked gold diggers requisites to cater for men on their way to the Murchison goldfields and also owned a store at Yandanooka. S.F. Moore was a highly esteemed colonist, prominent pastoralist, and businessman.
He represented the Irwin district as a parliamentarian for many years and was well respected throughout the state.
From 1910 – 1925 Mr P.T. Bridge managed the store for Mr Moore. He then purchased the business and ran it from 1925 – 1942 on his own behalf.
Since that time subsequent owners/leasees have included W.H.G. Howard, Webster and Gledhill and MingenewTrading Company.