Remove yourself from life’s daily rush. Take a trip to Samaria- it’s a stroll back to a simpler, slower-paced time. It may not be Mayberry, but it’s pretty darn close.
Located about nine miles southwest of Malad, Samaria was once the largest town in the Malad Valley. Samaria was suggested as the fledgling community’s name by Lorenzo Snow, then an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because its early settlers exhibited behavior he believed consistent with the Biblical Good Samaritan. Settled in 1868 by Welsh immigrants, it prospered until the railroad bypassed Samaria, routed through Malad along old pioneer trails. As primary businesses flourished around Malad’s railroad terminal, Samaria retained its more rural farming flavor.
Looking for a way to spend a few relaxing hours? Our Samaria driving tour may be just the thing. History lives on literally every corner of Samaria, in a number of historic buildings. The entire district is on the National Register of Historic Places. A fun way to learn about our early history is by picking up a copy of the Samaria Early History Driving Tour booklet at local outlets, like our very own Blue Goose.
A stop at our historic “Blue Goose” country store is a must. No visit to Samaria is complete without visiting “The Goose,” which has been an integral part of the community for many years. First opening its doors in 1902 as a furniture store, after it was later repurchased, it first became the community’s Candy Store and Ice Cream Parlor and later a pool hall. In 1998 the building was relocated to the Samaria Centennial Park, where it operates as a non-profit country store, run by community volunteers.
Come and enjoy Samaria Centennial Park, which is beautifully maintained by the Samaria Recreation District. Samaria Centennial Park is a terrific location for your next family reunion or outing. Its huge pavilion, playground, well-maintained rest rooms and ample room for camping and RV trailers make it perfect for gatherings of any size.
Visiting Samaria’s Malad Valley Heritage Square, a new and unique venue created to honor, perpetuate and preserve the legacy of our Welsh pioneers is fun and educational. Since Malad Valley boasts the highest percentage of Welsh descendants of any area outside Wales, Heritage Square boasts three authentic Welsh pioneer cabins; those of Thomas John Davis, Samuel Deer Davis, & John Jones Williams.
Olive Davis Osmond, mother of the famous Osmond singers and entertainers, was born in Heritage Square’s Thomas John Davis cabin. It was dedicated in May 2010 by seven of Olive’s son’s: Virl, Tom, Merrill, Jay, Alan, Donny and Jimmy.
Your Heritage Square visit includes the popular Welsh Experience Exhibit and Welsh Children’s Farm, where kids can enjoy many adorable Welsh animals including Welsh sheep and Welsh ponies. It’s a great place for a family outing!
No visit to Samaria is complete without a trip to the Samaria Cemetery, to visit the grave of “Uncle Ben” Waldron’s leg. Uncle Ben’s odd tale began in 1878, when he lost his leg, then insisted it be buried with a proper funeral and marked with its own stone. The leg’s plot is on the cemetery’s east side, with its “leg stone” inscribed “B.W. October 30, 1878.” Just look for the stone with the leg on it. Ben died many years later in 1914, after which his body was buried on the cemetery’s west end, where it was marked with its own headstone. It is indeed an odd, odd tale.
One thing is for sure, a trip to Samaria will not disappoint. Come on out, we look forward to seeing you