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  • Our Town
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    • Mayor’s Gala and Community Recognition Awards Night
  • Services
    • Permits
    • Child Care
      • Child Care FAQ
    • Community Services
      • Accessible Housing
      • Adult Education and Employment Information
      • Drive Happiness
      • Family and Community Support Services
      • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
      • Drayton Valley Columbarium
      • Shelter Pods
    • Community Organizations and Groups
    • Community Grants
    • Customer Self Service Portal
      • E-Billing
      • Online Payments
    • Emergency Services
      • Fire Services
      • Associated Ambulance
      • Cardium Region Victims Services Society
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Pembina Crisis Connection Society
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      • RCMP Crime Map
      • Bike Index
    • Enforcement Services
      • Animal Control
      • Traffic Safety
    • Health Services
    • Post-Secondary Education
      • Zero Fee Tuition
    • Schools
    • Sustainability
      • Community Sustainability Plan
      • Preserve Our Ultimate Resource (P.O.U.R) Program
      • Waste & Storm Water Disconnect
      • Drayton Valley Energy & Emissions
      • Energy & Emissions Reduction Initiatives
      • Clean Energy Improvement Program
      • Foodcycler Pilot Project
    • Town Maintenance
      • Snow Removal and Seasonal Parking Ban
      • Spring & Summer Maintenance
      • Summer Greenspace Maintenance FAQ
      • Flowerpot & Flowerbed Sponsorships
      • Dust Suppression
    • Water Treatment Plant
      • Water and Sanitary
      • Water and Sanitary FAQ
    • Waste Management
      • Aspen Waste Management Facility
      • Waste Collection
      • Recycling
      • Recycling Depot
      • Landfill Changes
      • Free Tipping Days
  • Business
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licenses
      • Cannabis Legislation
    • Business and Industry
      • Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Profile
    • Planning and Development
      • Annexation Documents 2010
      • Area Structure Plans
      • Compliance Certificates
      • Intermunicipal Development Plan
      • Intermunicipal Dispute between the Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County
      • Land Use Bylaw
      • Municipal Development Plan
      • Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review
      • Permits and Information
      • Planning Authorities
      • Planning & Development Policies
      • Subdivision and Development Appeals
      • Subdividing and Rezoning
      • Planning and Development FAQ
    • Statistical Data
    • Tenders and RFPs
  • Things To Do
    • Accommodations
      • Drayton Valley RV Park & Campground
      • Area Campgrounds
    • Arts and Culture
      • Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre
      • Event and Conference Centre
      • MacKenzie Conference Centre
    • Block Party
    • Drayton Valley Triathlon
    • Electronic Sign
    • Events
    • Library
    • Outdoor Recreation
      • Eagle Point Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area
      • Golf Courses
      • Parks and Trails
      • Sports and Recreational Organizations
      • Pump Track
      • Scooters & Slip and Slide
    • Places of Worship
    • Recreational Facilities
      • Omniplex
      • Park Valley Pool
      • Total Works Health & Fitness Centre
    • Tourism Information
      • Drayton Valley Industrial Airport
        • Drone Rules & Regulations
      • Eagle Points Blue Rapids
      • Drayton Valley Museum

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History

It was early in the 20th century when the first European settlers arrived in the Drayton Valley history 1area. They made their living either as lumbermen or trappers, making use of the resources in the undeveloped district. No road connection existed with Edmonton, and the North Saskatchewan River was their only link with the outside world. The first town site was in the river valley, but it was later moved up the hill to its current location.

The economic base during the early period was lumber. After 1945, however, mixed farming became the main source of income. In 1953, all that changed when oil was found close to the hamlet.

The discovery well of the Pembina Oil Field was drilled by Mobil Oil and was spudded on February 23rd, 1953. The oil field proved the largest in North America and its impact was immediate. Other oil companies intensified their drilling in the locality. Over $900 million was invested in the area by the oil industry. Within a year, the boom was on. More than 70 oil companies set up their field-based operations in Drayton Valley.

Before the boom two churches, a post office and a two-classroom school were the focus of the community—with the arrival of the oil boom, these facilities were outgrown overnight.

In one year (1953), the town grew from 75 to 2,000 people. The hamlet continued to grow, and was incorporated as a village in February 1956. Two other communities also grew out of the influx of workers—Lodgepole and Cynthia. Drayton Valley was the main service and residential centre, and on February 1st, 1957, Drayton Valley was officially incorporated as a town.

The Drayton Valley Municipal Library has a number of books about Drayton Valley’s history:

  • The Pembina Oil Strike and the Rise of Drayton Valley
  • Trappers, Loggers, Homesteaders and Oilmen – A History of Drayton Valley and Surrounding Areas including: Buck Creek, Cynthia, Easyford, Rocky Rapids and Violet Grove.
  • On the Road with David Thompson
The Explorers
The Settlers
The Discovery
The Boom

Explore the site

Bylaw Enforcement

Learn how the Town partners with the local RCMP to ensure municipal laws are enforced.

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Animal Control

Our Animals are important to us. See how we ensure that they are treated in accordance with Animal Control Bylaws.

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Canada Day

Check out our annual Canada Day celebration and hear what local residents are saying about the event.

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Sports & Rec Organizations

Drayton Valley is an active community with many sport and recreational groups. Whether you are attracted in boxing or badminton there are activates to interest the whole ...

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Adult Education

Access the many adult education and career information services to help you gain new skills or improve existing abilities.

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  • Our Town
    ▼
    • 2022 Budget
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
      ▼
      • Hours of Operation
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Staff Directory
    • COVID 19
    • Drayton Valley Aquatic Facility
    • Drayton Valley Crest and Brand
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Financial Statements
    • History
    • Maps
    • Media Feed
    • Taxation and Fees
    • Town Council
      ▼
      • 2021 Municipal Election
      • Annual Reports
      • Chain of Office
      • Council Agendas and Minutes
      • Council Expenses
      • Council Videos
      • Inter-municipal Cooperation
      • Public Hearings & Notices
      • Town of Drayton Valley Boards & Committees
    • Mayor’s Gala and Community Recognition Awards Night
  • Services
    ▼
    • Permits
    • Child Care
      ▼
      • Child Care FAQ
    • Community Services
      ▼
      • Accessible Housing
      • Adult Education and Employment Information
      • Drive Happiness
      • Family and Community Support Services
      • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
      • Drayton Valley Columbarium
      • Shelter Pods
    • Community Organizations and Groups
    • Community Grants
    • Customer Self Service Portal
      ▼
      • E-Billing
      • Online Payments
    • Emergency Services
      ▼
      • Fire Services
      • Associated Ambulance
      • Cardium Region Victims Services Society
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Pembina Crisis Connection Society
    • RCMP
      ▼
      • RCMP Crime Map
      • Bike Index
    • Enforcement Services
      ▼
      • Animal Control
      • Traffic Safety
    • Health Services
    • Post-Secondary Education
      ▼
      • Zero Fee Tuition
    • Schools
    • Sustainability
      ▼
      • Community Sustainability Plan
      • Preserve Our Ultimate Resource (P.O.U.R) Program
      • Waste & Storm Water Disconnect
      • Drayton Valley Energy & Emissions
      • Energy & Emissions Reduction Initiatives
      • Clean Energy Improvement Program
      • Foodcycler Pilot Project
    • Town Maintenance
      ▼
      • Snow Removal and Seasonal Parking Ban
      • Spring & Summer Maintenance
      • Summer Greenspace Maintenance FAQ
      • Flowerpot & Flowerbed Sponsorships
      • Dust Suppression
    • Water Treatment Plant
      ▼
      • Water and Sanitary
      • Water and Sanitary FAQ
    • Waste Management
      ▼
      • Aspen Waste Management Facility
      • Waste Collection
      • Recycling
      • Recycling Depot
      • Landfill Changes
      • Free Tipping Days
  • Business
    ▼
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licenses
      ▼
      • Cannabis Legislation
    • Business and Industry
      ▼
      • Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Profile
    • Planning and Development
      ▼
      • Annexation Documents 2010
      • Area Structure Plans
      • Compliance Certificates
      • Intermunicipal Development Plan
      • Intermunicipal Dispute between the Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County
      • Land Use Bylaw
      • Municipal Development Plan
      • Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw Review
      • Permits and Information
      • Planning Authorities
      • Planning & Development Policies
      • Subdivision and Development Appeals
      • Subdividing and Rezoning
      • Planning and Development FAQ
    • Statistical Data
    • Tenders and RFPs
  • Things To Do
    ▼
    • Accommodations
      ▼
      • Drayton Valley RV Park & Campground
      • Area Campgrounds
    • Arts and Culture
      ▼
      • Eleanor Pickup Arts Centre
      • Event and Conference Centre
      • MacKenzie Conference Centre
    • Block Party
    • Drayton Valley Triathlon
    • Electronic Sign
    • Events
    • Library
    • Outdoor Recreation
      ▼
      • Eagle Point Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area
      • Golf Courses
      • Parks and Trails
      • Sports and Recreational Organizations
      • Pump Track
      • Scooters & Slip and Slide
    • Places of Worship
    • Recreational Facilities
      ▼
      • Omniplex
      • Park Valley Pool
      • Total Works Health & Fitness Centre
    • Tourism Information
      ▼
      • Drayton Valley Industrial Airport
        ▼
        • Drone Rules & Regulations
      • Eagle Points Blue Rapids
      • Drayton Valley Museum