History Spotlight: Moore's Store

A Broomall Location with 150+ Years of History

Written by Doug Humes

Moore’s Store in the 1880s

Photos Courtesy of The Marple Historical Society

This photo is one of the oldest I’ve seen of a Marple subject. I date it to around 1880. It shows the general store of Phillip Moore, Jr., on West Chester Pike. I am guessing various Moore family members have gathered on the porch in their Sunday best, to pose for this newfangled idea called a photograph.

That building already had a long history by the time of this photo: From the first owner, Isaac Lawrence in 1817, to Isaac Haldeman, George Esrey, Garrett Williamson, and then brothers Philip and Samuel Hale Moore.

The Moores ran it from 1878 until 1904 when it was sold to brothers Edgar and Harry Bonsall, who ran the Bonsall Brothers general store through about 1946. They continued to own and lease it, and the old store building survived until it was demolished around 1965.

There was no Lawrence Park shopping center or other retail stores in Marple during most of that time, so the storekeepers offered the farm community's basic wants: clothes, tools, fresh vegetables from the local farmers, drugs and potions, and candy for the children.

The location of Moore’s Store in 1909

The first Broomall post office was established here in 1870 and continued there until Edgar Bonsall retired as postmaster in 1944 after 40 years of service. Many who grew up in Marple still remember going to this store, whether to shop, pick up the mail or just gossip on the porch with neighbors.

And what is there today, in place of a wonderful old stone store building with almost 150 years of history inside and out? The McDonald’s restaurant at 320 and West Chester Pike. Progress!

For more information on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website:

www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org

Their website has a link to their Facebook page. Please consider joining the Marple Historical society to keep up-to-date on coming events.