In 1892, Grover Cleveland defeated incumbent Benjamin Harris to become president, Thomas Edison received a patent for his telegraph invention, and the state of Idaho was just two years old. Oh, and it’s also the year the Blue Goose Country Store opened for the first time. It sure does sound like a long time ago, and it was! But don’t worry, the Blue Goose is still alive and kicking, and you can visit it the next time you find yourself around the small town of Malad City. This historic country store is by far one of the longest-standing businesses in Idaho and we hope it stays that way for years to come.
You'd never guess it, but the humble community of Samaria was once the largest in southern Idaho's Malad Valley. Located just ten minutes outside Malad City, it's in this little hamlet you'll find one of the oldest stores in the entire state.
The Blue Goose Country Store was originally built in 1892 by a man named Isaac Evans. Back then, the store served as both a furniture store and post office. It may not sell the same items (and the post office has moved), but these days the store looks pretty much the same as it always has!
During the late 19th century, Samaria was actually very well-known among travelers. Its bustling population showed a lot of promise in the beginning, but that all changed when the railroad was built through nearby Malad City instead of Samaria. The town has been a quiet place to live ever since, and today only around 150 people call it home.
These days, the quaint little shop acts as a convenience store. It's a good place to pick up some candy and a soda, or simply look at the historic photographs that line its walls. However, it most notably acts as a gathering place for locals in the community.
In fact, one Samaria resident named Clarence R. Hughes was largely responsible for keeping the store up and running over many years. He ran the store for a long time, selling local crafts, books, treats, and video rentals. He was an icon in the small community and although he passed away in 2014, his presence lives on through this little store.
One thing that has changed about the Blue Goose is its location. At one point, the entire building was moved to the town park in Samaria to keep it from being torn down. We're thankful it did, because there's a LOT of history that survives in this century-old structure.
For older folks, visiting the Blue Goose Country Store is bound to conjure up memories of a simpler time. For young folks, it's a historical relic that offers a rare glimpse into a different era. Whether you grew up visiting the Blue Goose or are visiting from out of town, stopping into this historic store is always a unique experience.
Have you been to this historic country store in Malad City? It’s amazing to think of just how much history this little old store has seen over the years.
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