Samaria is situated in southwest Oneida County, 8 miles southwest of Malad. It is bounded on the south and west by beautiful mountain ranges. To the east and north lies the rich fertile valley known as Malad Valley. Its chief resources are farming, dairying, stock raising and poultry industry.
The first settlers of Samaria were John E Price and his family. Mr. Price was the first white settler. He came to Samaria February 10, 1868 with his two sons, Daniel C. and John, who took up a 160 acre claim on which they built a dugout. Two months later on April 16, 1868 he moved his family from Malad.
They began at once to till the soil which was then a barren desert inhabited only by the American Indians and the wild beasts that wandered to and fro.
Spring water was found here both cold and warm. These springs emptied into clear streams and later into a small lake where fish were abundant. The Indians used to camp near these waters where they could enjoy fresh water, watercress and fish.
Two months later in 1868 other noted pioneers settled here, James Thomas, Thomas Roberts, David W. Davis, Talesen Hughes and their families. They immediately began to build houses for themselves. Other families arrived at different intervals.
On November 18, 1868 a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized with Thomas S. Thomas as presiding elder.
In the spring of 1868 a canal was surveyed and constructed from what was known as the John Thorpe spring, a distance of three miles. The water from this spring brought to Samaria water for irrigation after which a town site was located and surveyed.
On July 12, 1869 Lorenzo Snow, one of the members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, visited the place and approved of its location. He gave it the name of Samaria of biblical history because the families who settled here had become known as the good Samaritans because of their goodwill and kindness toward one another.
Lorenzo Snow encouraged the people to build good homes, plant trees, and beautify the place. Also to get more water from the stream known as the Big Malad River. This water was to be used for the purpose of irrigation. He also advised them to build a fort to protect them from the Indians, who at that time had been very hostile in many parts of the country, often killing entire companies of immigrants and burning their possessions.
These settlers followed the advice of their great leader, Brigham Young who said, “It is better to feed the Indians than to fight them”. They did not build the fort but built their homes close together on the farm of Thomas Roberts, now known as the Lew Hughes place.
Many Indians came every fall and camped near the settlers where they could get water through the winter for their many horses and dogs, as the water from these warm springs did not freeze during the coldest winter months. The Indians often camped on the irrigation ditch that is now on the Dan Hughes place. The Indian women or squaws gathered sage to build fires and the bucks hunted. They often begged for food from the settlers and ate squirrels for food.
On October 31, 1869 a petition was sent to the county school superintendent praying to be admitted as a school district . The petition was granted and Thomas S. Thomas, John T. Price and Richard Morse were elected the first trustees.
The first school teacher was David Price Davis. There were 19 families at that time.
In November 1869 a meeting house was erected to be used for school and worship. This building was made of logs. Its dimensions were 16 feet by 24 feet. It was completed in March 1870. Lumber was obtained from Price Lumber or Saw Mill which was the only way of getting lumber at that time. The first meeting held in the new church house was conducted by Samuel D. Williams, the presiding elder at that time.
On May 12, 1887 “Articles of Agreement” were drawn up for the purpose of constructing a canal to bring the water from the Big Malad River to Samaria. The following person signed an agreement; Richard Morse (first water master), Samuel D. Williams (surveyor), David P. Davis, John Thomas, Thomas S. Thomas, John E. Price, David W. Davis, William W. Williams, William P. Thomas, Samuel O. Davis, William S. Hawkins, Joseph Hawkins, Talesen Hughes and John T. Davis.
The first mercantile institution was started by Benjamin Waldron, who later formed a partnership with William E. Hawkins. Sometime later it was organized into what was known as the Samaria Co-op. Later it was taken over by John Jenkins who conducted it until his death. At that time it became known as Peterson Brothers Store until later it was known as the Davis and Morris Store, who were succeeded by Williams W. Williams.
After the organization of the Samaria Co-op, Mr. Benjamin Waldron commenced business for himself in a small log hut. By November 1886, his business had grown extensively. He built the two story brick building that is now Samaria’s only store which, under the management of Daniel M Wiliams is still operating. Mr. Waldron also constructed a two story brick building across the street from his store which was known as the Samaria hotel.
The present meeting house and Assembly Hall was erected in 1902 by N.L. Nelson at a cost of $6,000 and has a comfortable seating capacity for 500 people. The first presiding elder was Thomas S. Thomas who resigned in 1869 and was succeeded by Samuel D. Williams. The saints of Samaria Ward were organized into a bishop ward October 13, 1880 with Jonah Evans as bishop. He was succeeded in 1897 by Daniel E. Price who, in 1912 was succeeded by Hyrum Pederson followed by David Hughes in 1914 followed byJohn P. Roderick in 1927 followed by James Williams in 1930 who was succeeded by Leo Williams who was succeeded by Own Thomas Davis.
The Samaria Ward still boasts of its good Samaritan will and extends a welcome hand of fellowship to all who visit her town. Bishop Owen Thomas Davis was succeeded by Daniel M. Price in December 1939 who in April 1944 was succeeded by Walter T. Williams who in June 1947 was succeeded by Carl A. Evans, the present bishop in 1959.
The first telephone was introduced in Samaria in 1907. In 1930 Samaria got electric lights.