06/12/2026
Mosca and Hooper were settled in the late nineteenth century by men who established small farms and ranches in the area. The first years were bountiful, and settlers were optimistic due to good harvests and the arrival of railroad connections.
During this time, general stores were developed to meet the needs of town residents.
In 1891, Garrison (the town's name was changed to Hooper in 1896) had its first two general merchandise stores. One store was operated by William Garrison and Herbert Howard, while the other was run by Elbert Howard.
In the late 1890s, high groundwater levels forced the abandonment of farmland in the Mosca and Hooper areas. The region suffered economically until about 1920, only to face new challenges during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The 1940s helped the towns recover somewhat, but rising farming costs and drought conditions during the 1950s forced many residents to leave and seek steady employment in the cities.
Over the decades, several storekeepers opened and closed their doors in Mosca and Hooper. Storekeepers worked long hours, often cleaning and warming their buildings by 6:00 a.m., then returning home for breakfast before reopening at 8:00 a.m. Customers arrived early for necessities before heading to work. Lunchtime was often slow, and some shops even closed for lunch.
Afternoons were the busiest part of the day, as women often did their shopping then, and children stopped by after school for a treat. Business slowed around 5:00 p.m., and many owners went home for dinner before returning by 6:00 p.m. to serve families who came to town to shop in the evening. By 8:00 or 9:00 p.m., the stores were closed.
Most stores were open six days a week and sometimes even seven. Some owners would open outside regular business hours to help fellow community members. Shopkeepers such as Frank and Nina Born even lived in quarters connected to their store.
