In 1882 Kenneth Cameron built his Stopping Place and Alexander McRae established his homestead in an area where the Macleod Trail crossed Sheep Creek (about 30 minutes south of the City of Calgary), and on June 1, 1904 the Town of Okotoks was incorporated. Today the Town boasts a population nearing 10,000.*

The First Nations people left us with a legacy in the name of Okotoks, which is derived from the Blackfoot name "Okatoks". As Plains Tribes did not use rivers to travel on, a good river crossing like that found at Okatoks (near the present day Town of Okotoks) made it an important place.*

"Okatoks" was an easy name to choose as tribes used the Big Rock as a reference marker in their journeys. The rock was not just a large rock, but a spiritual refuge for the First Nations who deposited gifts for the Great Spirit Napi at the base of the stone - the stone that once chased Napi across the prairie after a disagreement about the loaning of a coat. It was by chance that the rock died where it is after being killed by a bird called upon by Napi to save him.*

We moved to Okotoks in 1995, and have enjoyed the small town atmosphere, where everyone you meet has a warm "Hello" to offer, while often remarking on the size of our dogs (we meet more people that way). As the town grows, we will undoubtedly be looking for a place with more seclusion, but plan to stay close to the town.

*Taken as an excerpt from "Town of Okotoks 1998: Leaving a Legacy Community Report"