Glaciers transformed much of Canada’s topography by grinding down rocks and mountains. The glaciers also slashed deep into the landscape, creating valleys and chopping out pathways for winding rivers. When a motorist drives into Rockglen, they’ll arrive in a valley created by glaciers, with towering green hills and glens reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands.
“The hills are about 3,000 feet high,” said Richard Oakes, the acting president of Rockglen & District Tourism, as he described the town’s rugged surroundings. “We’re unique, because we’re in a valley formed after two glacier pushes.”
The last time an ice sheet advanced then retreated over this part of southern Saskatchewan happened about 23,000 years ago. Long before the last ice age, three-toed horses, tiny pronghorns and four-tusked Mastodons were residents in Rockglen about 75,000 years into the past. And millions of years earlier, duckbilled dinosaurs ruled the area. Because Rockglen had been such integral hub for these ancient creatures, this locality has become significant for fossil hunters and palaeontologists. The Effie Mattson Nature Walk and Archaeological Centre on Fifth Avenue North, which is named after a local teacher, is open during the summer and is great place to study the town’s ancient history. The centre showcases the history of the Rockglen area, with a Miocene-era site, a display of First Nations artifacts, a diorama and many other exhibits. Visitors can also climb the hill in the Effie Mattson Nature Walk to view Rockglen’s outstanding and inspiring countryside.
Oakes has had a longstanding connection with Rockglen, but he grew to appreciate the area’s history at a later age. “I came up from Wood Mountain and came here for high school,” Oakes said. He left south central Saskatchewan, attended the University of Saskatoon, lived in southern Alberta then returned to Rockglen and became involved with local tourism. “We got into tourism when we got back. I learned about a lot of things in this country I didn’t know originally.”
Practically speaking, Rockglen has all the right provisions for visitors and residents alike, including a grocery store, a convenience store, a restaurant and a gas station. The town also has a drop-in centre for seniors, a bowling alley, curling and skating rinks and basketball and baseball facilities. For readers, there’s a library in Rockglen belonging to the Palliser Regional branch system where WI-FI is also available. Although Rockglen doesn’t have farm equipment dealerships, the town has accessible automotive, mechanical and welding businesses. The nearest available accommodations for travellers are in Fife Lake and Coronach.
Rockglen has more vital amenities for the community and visitors, including the Grasslands Health Centre. A nurse practitioner visits the town on a regular schedule at the centre, which also has long term beds and lab services. In addition, Rockglen has a K-12 school situated on 404 Columbus Drive.
