Historical information

The Little Wonder Store was built in 1883 from materials of the demolished Maddingley School. It was located on the corner of Grant Street and Labilliere Street. In 1886 James Alford obtained a licence to conduct the Railway Hotel and General Store there. A second storey was added later and the building continued to operate as the Railway Hotel. It was destroyed by fire in 1998.
The photo also shows the covered wagon of a travelling salesman, who were known as ‘hawkers’, who were significant in the supply of goods and news to outlying towns and districts before the development of road and rail networks.

Physical description

Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The photo shows a single-storey building of bluestone and brick with two signs on the front and side, the front sign reading “THE LITTLE WONDER” and the side sign “GENERAL STORE”. Above the door is a sign with the name ‘James Alford’. The windows display the merchandise of the store. Outside the store is a travelling salesman’s cart pulled by two horses. The salesman sits in the cart ready to drive off. Standing along the street outside the store are three men, three women and two young children.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed
On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME.
On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun.
Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE.

References