Near Goldendale in Klickitat County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Sam Hill Country

Photographed by Clayton Pickett

1. Present Location of Sam Hill Country Marker - New Location

Inscription. In 1908 Samuel Hill (1857-1931) bought 7,000 acres on these slopes. He planned a Quaker farming colony, surveyed a 34-block tounsite and built a church, hotel, store, offices, garage and shops. His engineers built ten miles of experimental roads; as Washington’s first rural paved roads they proved Hill’s zeal as a promoter of highways. Three miles to the west he began construction of an old-world chateau, which in 1940 was completed as the Maryhill Museum of Art. In 1918-1929 Hill constructed the Stonehenge replica, America’s first World War I memorial, on the original site of his hotel. Fire eventually destroyed the buildings of the never-occupied townsite, leaving only Stonehenge, roads and stonework, and the Museum as monuments to the vision and energy of this public – spirit American.

Erected by Washington State Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

45° 41.744′ N, 120° 48.339′ W. Marker is near Goldendale, Washington, in Klickitat County. It is on Stonehenge Drive 0.7 miles south of Lewis and Clark Highway (Washington Route 14), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located near the Maryhill Stonehenge memorial, to the north of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goldendale WA 98620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Columbia River Gorge,

in the Columbia Basin and in Yakima Valley.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stonehenge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Sight of the Columbia River (approx. 2.8 miles away in Oregon); Deschutes River Crossing Oregon Trail Kiosk (approx. 6.7 miles

Wide view of the Sam Hill Country Marker - Old Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 2, 2010

2. Wide view of the Sam Hill Country Marker - Old Location

With the Stonehenge World War I memorial visible just to the left of the marker.

away in Oregon); Deschutes River Crossing (approx. 6.7 miles away in Oregon); View of Mount Jefferson (approx. 7.6 miles away); Celilo Falls (approx. 7.6 miles away); Wyam (approx. 7.6 miles away); Great Falls of the Columbia (approx. 7.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Maryhill Museum of Art. (Submitted on August 15, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Maryhill Museum of Art (1940) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 2, 2010

3. Maryhill Museum of Art (1940)

The gardens and chateau, built by Sam Hill, overlook the Columbia River Gorge across to Oregon on the opposite shore.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 2, 2010

4. Stonehenge

Sitting on a bluff high above the Columbia River, memorial is visible for miles along the river in both Washington and Oregon.

Sam Hill Country Marker - Old Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 2, 2010

5. Sam Hill Country Marker - Old Location

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,873 times since then and 81 times this year. Last updated on June 6, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. Photos: 1. submitted on June 6, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.