HISTORY
HOW IT BEGAN
Samford is considered to be a significant historic area in the Moreton Bay Region. With almost 100 years of service to the community, the Samford Farmers Hall is one of the most celebrated heritage sites in the Moreton Bay area.
The establishment of Samford Farmers Hall is a testament to the strong ties of the Samford community. During World War I, a group of farmers realised the need for a bigger venue for social events after attending an over-crowded ball at the Samford School.
A building committee was formed and a disused weatherboard hall in Lutwyche was bought with money donated by the community, and dismantled so it could be moved and re-assembled on its present site by the local farmers.
Builder Tom Clapham was paid £157 to do the work with the help of an army of volunteers from the community. Small parts were transported on spring wagons, planks of timber came by rail and the hall was named the Farmers Social Hall by the committee.
SAMFORD FARMERS HALL OPENS IN 1918
The Farmers Hall was in full use soon after the arrival of the train service in June 1918 and railway station opening. The opening coincided with plans for soldier settlement farms in Highvale further west. Dances were held every Saturday night and regular events included visiting theatre troupes and concert parties. The hall was also used by the local community, notably the Methodist Church who organised an annual Christmas tree at which every child in the district received a present from Santa.
In 1918 the building was managed by its first board of trustees, which continued until 2007. In almost 80 years, there have been only 21 trustees.
CHANGES OVER THE YEARS
The aged ironbark stumps and sections of the original crows ash floor can still be seen to this present day.
Major renovations in 1993 included a new floor and later a lift was added. There have also been electrical upgrades and the hall has recently been repainted inside and out.
Samford District Historical Museum research officer Eileen Kemp says the museum has builder Tom Clapham’s workbook showing the materials used.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAMFORD
Samford Village, known as Samford until 1981, is 22 km north-west of Brisbane, on the upper reaches of the South Pine River. The township / village is surrounded on the three sides by Samford Valley. The origin of the name is unrecorded.
Being in a relatively secluded valley, the Samford area was not settled by Europeans until 1855 when the Samford pastoral run was taken up. Parts of the run, particularly fertile river flats, were subject to closer-settlement in the late 1860s, and a primary school was opened in 1872. The Samford Range and Mount Nebo were harvested for cedar and hoop pine and the cleared land was used for dairying.
The opening of the railway line (1918) through Samford, terminating at Dayboro, improved marketing conditions for dairying and banana growing. Pugh’s Queensland directory recorded a hotel, two sawmills, two storekeepers, a railway refreshment room and several tradespeople at Samford in 1925.
You can read more about Samford’s history on Wikipedia and on the Queensland Rail website.
RESOURCES
Download the Samford Village Heritage Trail (PDF.)
Visit Moreton Bay Region website – trail description.
Samford Valley News website – trail description.
Everywhere History website – trail description.
FOLLOW THE SAMFORD VILLAGE HERITAGE TRAIL
Trace the historic footprints of a town steeped in Brisbane’s rich history that has now become a bustling hinterland village just 40 minutes from the city. The traditional custodians of the Samford Valley are of the Yuggera nation. Clan relations may well have extended into and from the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi and Waka Waka clans neighbouring this region as well.
The Samford Village Heritage Trail includes a stop at the Samford Farmers Hall. It weaves its way along Main Street and just up Station Street, totalling 1.3kms and 13 historical sites and was created thanks to members of the Samford District Historical Museum Society Inc and the Rotary Club of Samford Valley.