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Black Diamond

In the late 1800s a government land surveyor by the name of James McMillan discovered abundant local coal deposits in this area. By 1899, A McPherson and J.J. Cooper opened a coalmine just near the west bank of the Sheep River. 650 tons of high-grade coal were produced here annually and shipped by a wagon track to Okotoks. The mine site and crazily tilted coal seams in rocky outcrops are visible today from the 3 km Friendship Trail that connects to nearby Turner Valley. A mine of this size required workers, who relocated to the area along with ranchers looking for a place to call home. This population influx necessitated a store and a post office, which were established by Herb Arnold around 1907. These buildings were located at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Government Road (Highway 22), forming the core of what is now Black Diamond's main street. This growing community had yet to be named at this point and there was some dispute as to whether it should be called Black Diamond after the nearby coalmine or Arnoldville after the Postmaster. The dispute was settled when Black Diamond was drawn from a hat in 1907.

Turner Valley

It all started in Turner Valley – the birthplace of Alberta’s Oil and Gas Industry. On May 14, 1914, the Dingman Discovery Well blew in, changing Alberta’s economic future forever. For 30 years, the Turner Valley Oilfields was a major supplier of oil and gas and the largest producer in the British Empire! A remarkable history of Turner Valley’s early years was marked by three major boom cycles which occurred in this once famous oilfield. So significant was the role Turner Valley played in the history of the oil and gas industry that the federal government has declared the Turner Valley Oilfields Gas Plant a National Historic Site.

High River

The community gets its name from the Highwood River, which flows through the town, and often floods in the spring.

The town is best known for being the birthplace of former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark. Other well-known former citizens include W.O. Mitchell, author of such books as Who Has Seen the Wind and Roses Are Difficult Here, and NHL and WHA hockey player John "Pie" McKenzie.

High River was used as a set for Smallville in Superman III, as well as High River, Montana in Nickelodeon's series Caitlin's Way. Recently, Heartland, a CBC television series has found High River its main filming spot. Also, the movie Carolina Moon based on the book by Nora Roberts was filmed in High River.

As part of High River's tourism and heritage endeavours, a number of murals were painted around town during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Nanton

Pioneers first settled in the Mosquito Creek Community (Nanton area) in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. On June 22, 1903, a village was formed and named Nanton, after the late Sir Augustus Nanton (1860 – 1925). Sir Augustus Nanton was a partner in the financial firm, Osler, Hammond and Nanton, of Ontario. He was sent by the firm to the west to investigate investment in farm mortgages. Renowned for his sound judgment, he became a director for many companies, including the Canadian Pacific Railway, Hudson’s Bay Company, Great West Life and the Dominion Bank. He arranged financing of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway, sold subsequently to the C.P.R. It was his close association with these two companies that led the community to name the village, “Nanton”. Nanton was incorporated as a Town in the summer of 1907.