Article

Turner Valley

Published Online March 31, 2008

Last Edited June 11, 2015

Turner Valley, Alta, incorporated as a town in 1930, population 2167 (2011c), 1908 (2006c). The Town of Turner Valley is located 40 km south of Calgary in the wide valley of the same name. It is named for the first settlers in the area, John, James and Robert Turner.

Turner Valley, Alta, incorporated as a town in 1930, population 2167 (2011c), 1908 (2006c). The Town of Turner Valley is located 40 km south of Calgary in the wide valley of the same name. It is named for the first settlers in the area, John, James and Robert Turner. The presence of oil was apparent through seepage, but it was not until 14 May 1914 that Dingman No 1 came in - heralding the discovery of the first major natural gas and oil field in Alberta. Wells soon dotted the valley, and the petroleum activity was a bright spot in the otherwise bleak economy of Alberta in the 1930s. The field was depleted by the time the focus shifted north to Leduc after WWII. The gas plant has been declared both a provincial and national historic site and is currently being developed as such.

Dingman Discovery Well No 1
On May 1914 Dingman No 1 came in - heralding the discovery of the first major gas and oil field in Alberta (courtesy PAA/H. Pollard Coll).