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Adjacent to Kananaskis Country in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is the Town of Turner Valley. Their unique location provides those who live there, and visitors the chance to both cross-country and downhill skiing in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Locally, Turner Valley has plenty of recreation to offer: Fishing, hunting, golfing, hiking, swimming and camping just to name a few!Turner Valley is Alberta's birthplace of the Oil and Gas Industry. The Dingman Discovery well blew on May 14th, 1914 creating their economic future, and a flurry of investment activity in Calgary and area. Becoming the cornerstone of Alberta's early Oil and Gas Industry, Turner Valley became the training ground for the Oil and Gas Industry as we know it today. 
During the Great Depression, people would come from all over Canada and the U.S. looking for work in the Turner Valley Oilfields. In the 1930's the Turner Valley Gas Plant was constructed, and remained in operation until 1985. (At which point the Provincial Government acquired the site and worked with the Federal Government to preserve the plant as a National Historic Site.) On June 16th, 1936 another boom came for the Turner Valley Oilfields with the discovery of crude oil. As production steadily grew, peaking in 1942, over 10 million barrels of this oil was used to assist in the war effort. Turner Valley was booming. As a result, a steady stream of oilfield workers came from all over Canada and the U.S.A. Towns were popping up everywhere throughout the area. Many living quarters were moved as locations changed. These living quarters, known as "tar paper shacks" could be moved to each new location. This resulted in many 'boom towns' forming, complete with gambling casinos as well as cat houses. Names such as Whiskey Row, Poverty Flats, Dogtown, Snob Hill, Cuffling Flats, Little New York, Little Chicago, Naptha and Mercury were applied to these 'shack towns'. These shacks became obsolete in the 1950's when the drilling activity moved to the Leduc area. Now, each summer from May to August, tours of the Plant site take place. There is also a pictorial display of this Historic Oilfield. Self-directed driving tours of the Turner Valley Oilfields are available year round visiting the sites of the 'boom towns', the famous wells, and other historic sites. A well documented booklet that accompanies the tour provides an excellent insight into Turner Valley's early years and provides historic photos of "what used to be". Driving tour booklets are available from the Tourist Information Centre Phone (403) 933-4944 Fax (403) 933-5377 or E-Mail:admin@town.turner-valley.ab.ca Ranching in the area began in Diamond Valley in the 1890's as the British, Americans and Central Canadians settled. This area is composed of many towns surrounding the Calgary area. The Cowboy Trail travels on Highway 22 carrying visitors through the Alberta Foothills. This 350 km roads winds from Pincer Creek through Longview, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Millarville, Bragg Creek, Cochrane, Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, and ends northwest of Edmonton in Mayerthorpe. For more information on the town of Turner Valley, please visit: www.town.turner-valley.ab.ca
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