Okotoks

File:Bigrock.jpg glacial erratic]]

The town's name is derived from "ohkotok", the Blackfoot language word for "rock". The name may refer to Big Rock, the largest glacial erratic in the Foothills Erratics Train, situated about {{cvt|7|km}} west of the town.[http://www.okotoks.ca/default.aspx?cid=337&lang=1 Town of Okotoks - Okotoks' Beginnings] Retrieved 2012-02-10

Before European settlement, journeying First Nations, members of the Blackfoot Confederacy, used the rock as a marker to find the river crossing situated at Okotoks. The tribes were nomadic and often followed large buffalo herds for their sustenance. David Thompson explored the area as early as 1800.

File:Okotoks Trail Sign.jpeg

In the late 1870s and early 1880s, the site of the future town was a river crossing location on the freight wagon route from Fort Macleod to Fort Calgary. Stagecoaches also used the trail. Known as the Macleod Trail or the Macleod-Calgary Trail, the route was an extension of the Fort Benton-Fort Macleod Trail, which led from Fort Benton, Montana to Fort Macleod. There were two fords on the Sheep River, and two stopping houses were established on the north side of the river for rest and shelter for the travellers. Because of these stopping houses, the area attracted settlement. Once the railway was built through the town in 1892, the old trail fell out of use.{{cite news|title=Pioneers' wagon route receives marker|url=https://www.westernwheel.ca/local-news/pioneers-wagon-route-receives-marker-1526096|access-date=18 June 2024|work=Western Wheel|date=12 October 2012}}{{cite web|url= https://hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Details.aspx?DeptID=1&ObjectID=4664-0450 |title= Alberta Register of Historic Places - Macleod Trail Cultural Landscape |access-date= 18 June 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=1587 |title= Fort Macleod Trail National Historic Event |access-date= 18 June 2024}}

In 1879, the area saw the killing of the last buffalo. Government leasing of land for {{cvt|0.01|$/acre}} or {{cvt|2.47|$/km2}} began in 1880. This created a major change in the region. The first settlers arrived in 1882.{{cite book|last=Okotoks and District Historical Society|title=A century of memories : Okotoks and District, 1883-1983|year=1983|asin=B000XQVF0K|oclc=12201781|page=6|url=https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/archive/A--century-of-memories---Okotoks-and-District--1883-1983-2R3BF1O13H9RL.html}}

A community grew around a sawmill that was established in 1891, and it would grow in size. The last stagecoach stopped in Okotoks in 1891 when rail service between Calgary and Fort Macleod replaced horse-drawn travel.

By 1897, the community name had changed three times, first from Sheep Creek, to Dewdney after Edgar Dewdney the Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest Territories, and later being informed by post office authorities in Ottawa of an older settlement named Dewdney in Lower Mainland, British Columbia, the name Okotoks was chosen by local businessman John Lineham.{{cite news |last1=Peach |first1=Jack |title=Pioneer entrepreneur left name on map |work=Calgary Herald |date=13 April 1985 |page=G18}} The rail line is still a main line south to the United States border, but the last of the passenger service (Dayliner unit) ended in 1971.Train Web. [http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/london_dayliner.html London Dayliner]

In 2007, the energy efficient Drake Landing Solar Community was established in Okotoks.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/newsreleases/2007/200784_e.htm|title=Unique Community a Model for a Greener, Healthier Canada|author=Natural Resources Canada|author-link=Natural Resources Canada|access-date=2008-02-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106023111/http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/newsreleases/2007/200784_e.htm |archive-date = 2007-11-06}}

Okotoks has experienced three major flooding events, in 1995, 2005 and 2013.{{cite web | url= http://www.okotoks.ca/default.aspx?cid=343&lang=1 |title= Okotoks Life and Times |access-date= 10 February 2012}}{{cite web | url= http://www.okotoks.ca/flood2005.html | title=2005 Flood |publisher= Town of Okotoks |access-date= 27 January 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060216072839/http://okotoks.ca/flood2005.html | archive-date= 16 February 2006}}{{cite web | url= http://www.okotoks.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Flood%20Projects%20Update.pdf |title=Town of Okotoks Floods Remediation and Mitigation Updates |publisher= Town of Okotoks |date= 5 June 2014 | access-date= 13 August 2016}} The 2005 event, which affected much of southern Alberta, flooded virtually all lands adjacent to the Sheep River, including the central business district, were at least briefly flooded, with the most serious damage being inflicted to riverside pathways, parks and campgrounds. Okotoks was also affected by the 2013 Alberta floods.

Numerous old buildings have been restored, and one house was even resitedAlberta Archives. [http://www.archivesalberta.org/walls/okotoks.htm Okotoks] blocks away to avoid destruction by the widening of the highway through the townsite.

Effective 1 July 2017, the Government of Alberta approved the annexation of approximately {{cvt|1,950|ha}} of land. Okotoks and the Municipal District of Foothills reached an agreement more than three years after the town first issued its notice of intent to seek more land to accommodate its long-term growth plans. Okotoks will gain a 60-year land supply that will enable the Town to develop housing and other services over the next several decades.[https://www.okotoks.ca/town-services/planning-development/planning/annexation Okotoks Annexation] Retrieved 13 May 2018

Although the Sheep River runs through Okotoks year round, artesian wells near the river supply the town with its water. In September 1998, Okotoks became one of the first communities in Canada to recognize its environmental limits to growth were restricted by the carrying capacity of the local watershed. In concern for the supply of water, the town announced a unique and controversial suggestion of capping its population at 25,000 residents.{{Cite web|url=http://www.okotoks.ca/sustainable/overview.asp|title=Sustainable Okotoks|access-date=6 April 2023}} In an interview on The Current, Mayor Bill McAlpine stated that this objective may be politically difficult due to the surrounding region.Mayor Bill McAlpine interviewed by Anna Maria Tremonti on the CBC Radio One radio show The Current, 9 January 2007

Okotoks experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with generally warm summers and long, cold winters. Rainfall is usually limited to the summer, with most of it falling between the months of May and September.

{{Weather box

|location = Okotoks (1981−2010)

|metric first = Y

|single line = Y

|Jan record high C = 14.5

|Feb record high C = 23.0

|Mar record high C = 25.0

|Apr record high C = 25.5

|May record high C = 31.5

|Jun record high C = 32.5

|Jul record high C = 34.5

|Aug record high C = 34.0

|Sep record high C = 33.5

|Oct record high C = 27.5

|Nov record high C = 23.0

|Dec record high C = 18.0

|year record high C = 34.5

|Jan high C = -2.3

|Feb high C = 1.0

|Mar high C = 4.9

|Apr high C = 11.7

|May high C = 16.8

|Jun high C = 20.2

|Jul high C = 24.3

|Aug high C = 23.7

|Sep high C = 18.9

|Oct high C = 11.5

|Nov high C = 3.4

|Dec high C = -0.5

|year high C = 11.1

|Jan mean C = -8.1

|Feb mean C = -5.0

|Mar mean C = -1.4

|Apr mean C = 5.0

|May mean C = 9.8

|Jun mean C = 13.7

|Jul mean C = 17.0

|Aug mean C = 16.2

|Sep mean C = 11.5

|Oct mean C = 5.0

|Nov mean C = -2.3

|Dec mean C = -6.3

|year mean C = 4.6

|Jan low C = -13.8

|Feb low C = -10.9

|Mar low C = -7.7

|Apr low C = -1.7

|May low C = 2.8

|Jun low C = 7.1

|Jul low C = 9.6

|Aug low C = 8.6

|Sep low C = 4.1

|Oct low C = -1.6

|Nov low C = -8.0

|Dec low C = -12.0

|year low C = -2.0

|Jan record low C = -39.0

|Feb record low C = -36.0

|Mar record low C = -32.0

|Apr record low C = -20.5

|May record low C = -8.0

|Jun record low C = -1.5

|Jul record low C = 2.0

|Aug record low C = -3.0

|Sep record low C = -9.0

|Oct record low C = -26.0

|Nov record low C = -32.5

|Dec record low C = -39.0

|year record low C = -39.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 14.8

|Feb precipitation mm = 17.3

|Mar precipitation mm = 28.6

|Apr precipitation mm = 37.9

|May precipitation mm = 70.4

|Jun precipitation mm = 123.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 54.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 61.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 45.8

|Oct precipitation mm = 25.3

|Nov precipitation mm = 21.9

|Dec precipitation mm = 12.9

|year precipitation mm = 514.5

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 0.3

|Feb rain mm = 0.1

|Mar rain mm = 1.6

|Apr rain mm = 16.0

|May rain mm = 59.1

|Jun rain mm = 123.6

|Jul rain mm = 54.4

|Aug rain mm = 61.3

|Sep rain mm = 43.4

|Oct rain mm = 10.1

|Nov rain mm = 2.3

|Dec rain mm = 0.4

|year rain mm = 372.6

|snow colour = green

|Jan snow cm = 14.5

|Feb snow cm = 17.2

|Mar snow cm = 26.9

|Apr snow cm = 21.9

|May snow cm = 11.3

|Jun snow cm = 0.0

|Jul snow cm = 0.0

|Aug snow cm = 0.4

|Sep snow cm = 2.5

|Oct snow cm = 15.2

|Nov snow cm = 19.6

|Dec snow cm = 12.4

|year snow cm = 141.9

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 6.7

|Feb precipitation days = 6.5

|Mar precipitation days = 9.2

|Apr precipitation days = 9.8

|May precipitation days = 12.9

|Jun precipitation days = 14.5

|Jul precipitation days = 10.9

|Aug precipitation days = 10.9

|Sep precipitation days = 9.0

|Oct precipitation days = 7.8

|Nov precipitation days = 6.7

|Dec precipitation days = 5.8

|year precipitation days = 110.7

|unit rain days = 0.2 mm

|Jan rain days = 0.2

|Feb rain days = 0.3

|Mar rain days = 1.3

|Apr rain days = 5.7

|May rain days = 11.8

|Jun rain days = 14.5

|Jul rain days = 10.9

|Aug rain days = 10.9

|Sep rain days = 8.6

|Oct rain days = 4.4

|Nov rain days = 1.3

|Dec rain days = 0.5

|year rain days = 70.4

|unit snow days = 0.2 cm

|Jan snow days = 6.5

|Feb snow days = 6.5

|Mar snow days = 8.7

|Apr snow days = 6.1

|May snow days = 2.8

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.2

|Sep snow days = 1.0

|Oct snow days = 4.4

|Nov snow days = 5.9

|Dec snow days = 5.5

|year snow days = 47.6

|source 1 = Environment Canada{{cite web

| publisher = Environment Canada

| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=2173&lang=e&dCode=5&dispBack=1

| title = Okotoks

| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010

| date=25 September 2013 | access-date = 27 March 2016}}

|date=March 2016}}

File:Okotoks Mainstreet.JPG

Neighbourhoods of Okotoks are:{{cite web| url=http://www.okotoks.ca/data/1/rec_imgs/1020_map.jpg|title= Christmas Eve Parade route| publisher=Town of Okotoks/Western Wheel Newspaper (2010-12-17) |access-date=2012-02-03}}{{cite web| url=http://www.okotoks.ca/data/1/rec_docs/1923_AddressWeb_Nov2011.pdf|title= Detailed Okotoks Address Map| publisher=Town Of Okotoks Mapping Services (11-2011 Edition) |access-date=2012-02-03}}{{cite web| url=http://greenhavenokotoks.com/|title= Green Haven Estates| author=Green Haven Development Corp. |access-date=2018-06-09}}{{cite web|url=https://darcyokotoks.com/|title= D'Arcy| author=Anthem United |access-date=2021-09-09}}{{cite web|url=https://wedderburnokotoks.com/|title= Wedderburn| author=Anthem United |access-date=2021-09-09}}

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Air Ranch
• Central Heights
• Cimarron
• Cornerstone
• Crystal Shores
• Crystal Ridge
• D'Arcy
• Downey Ridge
• Drake Landing Solar Community
• Green Haven Estates
• Hunter's Glen
• Mountainview
• Olde Towne
• Rosemont
• Ranchers Rise
• Sandstone
• Sheep River Ridge
• Skunk Hollow
• Suntree
• Tower Hill
• Wedderburn
• Westmount
• Westridge
• Woodhaven

{{Div col end}}

{{Historical populations

| title = Federal census
population history

| type = Canada

| align = right

| width =

| state =

| shading =

| percentages =

| footnote = Source: Statistics Canada
{{cite book | title=Census of the Northwest Provinces, 1906 | volume=Sessional Paper No. 17a | year=1907 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | page=100 | chapter=Table IX: Population of cities, towns and incorporated villages in 1906 and 1901 as classed in 1906}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1911 | volume=I | year=1912 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=2–39 | chapter=Table I: Area and Population of Canada by Provinces, Districts and Subdistricts in 1911 and Population in 1901}}{{cite book | title=Census of Prairie Provinces, 1916 | volume=Population and Agriculture | year=1918 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=77–140 | chapter=Table I: Population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta by Districts, Townships, Cities, Towns, and Incorporated Villages in 1916, 1911, 1906, and 1901}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1921 | year=1922 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=169–215 | chapter=Table 8: Population by districts and sub-districts according to the Redistribution Act of 1914 and the amending act of 1915, compared for the census years 1921, 1911 and 1901}}{{cite book | title=Census of Prairie Provinces, 1926 | volume=Census of Alberta, 1926 | year=1927 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=565–567 | chapter=Table 7: Population of cities, towns and villages for the province of Alberta in census years 1901-26, as classed in 1926}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1931 | year=1932 | publisher=Government of Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=98–102 | chapter=Table 12: Population of Canada by provinces, counties or census divisions and subdivisions, 1871-1931}}{{cite book | title=Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1936 | volume=I: Population and Agriculture | year=1938 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=833–836 | chapter=Table 4: Population in incorporated cities, towns and villages, 1901-1936}}{{cite book | title=Eighth Census of Canada, 1941 | volume=II: Population by Local Subdivisions | year=1944 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=134–141 | chapter=Table 10: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1941}}{{cite book | title=Census of the Prairie Provinces, 1946 | volume=I: Population | year=1949 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | pages=401–414 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1926-1946}}{{cite book | title=Ninth Census of Canada, 1951 | volume=I: Population, General Characteristics | year=1953 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.73–6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1951}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1956 | volume=Population, Counties and Subdivisions | year=1957 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951}}

{{cite book | title=1961 Census of Canada | series=Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961 | volume=I: Population | year=1963 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.77-6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961}}{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1966 | volume=Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966 | year=1968 | publisher=Dominion Bureau of Statistics | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966}}{{cite book | title=1971 Census of Canada | volume=I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical) | year=1973 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.102-2.111 | chapter=Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971}}{{cite book | title=1976 Census of Canada | series=Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories | volume=I: Population, Geographic Distributions | year=1977 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=3.40–3.43| chapter=Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976}}{{cite book | title=1981 Census of Canada | volume=II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta) | year=1982 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=4.1–4.10| chapter=Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981 | isbn=0-660-51095-2}}{{cite book | title=Census Canada 1986 | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta) | year=1987 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | page=2.1–2.10 | chapter=Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986 | isbn=0-660-53463-0}}{{cite book | title=91 Census | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | year=1992 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=100–108 | chapter=Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-57115-3}}{{cite book | title=96 Census | volume=A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts | year=1997 | publisher=Statistics Canada | location=Ottawa | pages=136–146 | chapter=Table 10: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions (Municipalities) and Designated Places, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-59283-5}}{{cite web | title=Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-D.cfm?PR=48 | publisher=Statistics Canada | access-date=2012-04-02}}{{cite web | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0 | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=2010-01-06 | access-date=2012-04-02}}

|1901|245

|1906|508

|1911|516

|1916|525

|1921|448

|1926|579

|1931|760

|1936|571

|1941|591

|1946|694

|1951|767

|1956|764

|1961|1043

|1966|922

|1971|1247

|1976|1795

|1981|3847

|1986|5214

|1991|6720

|1996|8510

|2001|11664

|2006|17145

|2011|24511

|2016|28881

|2021|30405

}}

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Okotoks had a population of 30,405 living in 10,476 of its 10,750 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:30405-29016}}|29016|1}} from its 2016 population of 29,016. With a land area of {{cvt|38.55|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|30405|38.55|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000248 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=9 February 2022 | access-date=9 February 2022}}

In the Canada 2016 Census conducted by Statistics Canada, the Town of Okotoks recorded a population of 28,881 living in 9,667 of its 9,840 total private dwellings, a {{percentage|{{#expr:28881-24511}}|24511|1}} change from its 2011 population of 24,511. With a land area of {{cvt|19.63|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|28881|19.63|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=8 February 2017 | access-date=8 February 2017}}

The population of the Town of Okotoks according to its 2015 municipal census is 28,016, a {{percentage|{{#expr:28016-27331}}|27331|1}} change from its 2014 municipal census population of 27,331.{{cite web | url=http://www.okotoks.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/meetings/agendas/13%20July%2013%2C%202015%20Agenda%20Package.pdf | title=Regular Council Meeting Agenda: Item 4.5 – 2015 Municipal Census | page=69 | publisher=Town of Okotoks | date=13 July 2015 | access-date=11 July 2015}} At its current population, Okotoks is the largest town in the province{{cite web | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/msb/2011_pop.pdf | title=2011 Municipal Affairs Population List | publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs | date=2010-10-05 | access-date=2011-12-12}} and is eligible for city status. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town is eligible for city status when it reaches 10,000 residents.{{cite web | url=http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=m26.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779745739 | title=Municipal Government Act | publisher=Alberta Queen's Printer | access-date=2012-09-05}}

Almost 3% of Okotoks residents identified themselves as aboriginal at the time of the 2006 census.{{cite web | title = Okotoks | work = Aboriginal Identity (8), Sex (3) and Age Groups (12) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = 2008-01-15 | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89122&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=0&Temporal=2006&Theme=73&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838049 | access-date = 2008-02-06}}

According to the 2006 census, about 93% of residents identified English as their first language while 1.4% identified French and 1.0% identified German as their first language learned. The next most common languages were Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Korean, and Slovak.{{cite web | title = Okotoks | work = Detailed Mother Tongue (186), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 and 2006 Censuses - 20% Sample Data | publisher = Statistics Canada | date = 2007-11-20 | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/topics/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?ALEVEL=3&APATH=3&CATNO=&DETAIL=0&DIM=&DS=99&FL=0&FREE=0&GAL=0&GC=99&GK=NA&GRP=1&IPS=&METH=0&ORDER=1&PID=89201&PTYPE=88971&RL=0&S=1&ShowAll=No&StartRow=1&SUB=701&Temporal=2006&Theme=70&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GID=838049 | access-date = 2008-02-06}}

File:Okotoks2007.jpg

File:Okotoksplaza.jpg

The sawmill that was established by John Lineham along the Sheep River in 1891 operated for 25 years and was a major part of the local economy. At one time it employed 135 people, producing an average of {{cvt|30,000|ft|order=flip}} of lumber per day. The growth of the Canadian Pacific Railway created a demand for railway ties and the mill helped meet that demand. Logs were brought down from the west via the Sheep River. The mill has long since disappeared but one building (one of the oldest remaining in the township) still stands. It housed an award-winning (butter) dairy from the 1920s to the 1940s. It currently houses a law office and restaurant. In May 2015, the Old Creamery was severely damaged following a suspected arson attack. On 15 June 2015, the Town Council voted to demolish the building.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107173702/http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20150618/WHE0801/306189963/0/whe |url=http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20150618/WHE0801/306189963/0/whe |archive-date=7 January 2016 |title=Century-old barn to be demolished |publisher=Okotoks Western Wheel |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=2 August 2015}}

In 1900, just west of Okotoks, four brick-making plants were opened. Many of the first brick buildings in Okotoks (of which a number still exist) were constructed using locally-made brick. The industry reached its peak in 1912, when twelve million bricks were manufactured. The outbreak of World War I caused the shutdown of “Sandstone” as it was known.

By 1906, the population had hit 1900, a figure that would not be reached again until 1977.

Oil was discovered west of Okotoks on 7 October 1913.{{cite news|title=This Week in Business History|url=http://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20161001/281887297802604 |access-date=1 October 2016|work=The Toronto Star|date=1 October 2016}} Okotoks became the supply centre. In its heyday, from 1913 to the 1960s, Okotoks was busy with horses, wagons, and transports hauling all types of equipment to the oil fields, and crude oil back through town to refineries in Calgary.

The Texas Gulf sulphur plant (known as CanOxy) opened in 1959, employing 45 people. It was not unusual to see the bright yellow, three-story high, block-long, block-wide pile of sulphur waiting to be melted or ground up and poured into railway cars.

Since 1974, Okotoks has been hosting a collector car auction in late May. It is the longest running collector car auction in Canada.{{Cite web|date=2018-05-17|title=5 cool vehicles to watch at Canada's oldest collector car auction|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/canadas-okotoks-collector-car-auction/|access-date=2020-07-08|website=Hagerty Media}}

Okotoks was one of the few communities its size with its own airport. A number of small air shows were held there over the years. It was the home of an aircraft charter company, flight school, and a helicopter flying school. The site has now evolved into an airpark community called the Calgary/Okotoks Air Park, where the property owners, if they wish, can build homes with attached hangars for their private planes. There is also a small private aerodrome, Calgary/Okotoks (Rowland Field) Aerodrome. Otherwise, like other communities in the vicinity of Calgary, it is served by Calgary International Airport.

File:Okotoks2013ii.JPG

Okotoks Transit operates an on-demand bus service within the town boundaries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.okotokstransit.ca/map|title=Map | Okotoks Transit|website=www.okotokstransit.ca |access-date=6 April 2023}} The system began in 2019 with accessible vans instead of traditional buses.{{Cite web|url=https://okotoksonline.com/articles/new-transit-bus-in-okotoks|title=New Transit Bus in Okotoks|website=OkotoksOnline|access-date=6 April 2023}}

• Western Wheel, with a local weekly newspaper, Great West Newspapers

• 100.9 FM — CKUV-FM (The Eagle 100.9), Golden West Broadcasting

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of towns in Alberta

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• {{cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=Lewis G. |title=Okotoks: From Trading Post to Suburb |journal=Urban History Review |date=October 1979 |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=3–22 |doi=10.7202/1019375ar |url=https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1019375ar |issn=1918-5138|doi-access=free }}

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{{Geographic location

| Centre = Okotoks

| North = Calgary

| Northeast = Strathmore

| East = Arrowwood

| Southeast = Vulcan

| South = High River

| Southwest = Longview

| West = Diamond Valley

| Northwest = Bragg Creek

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Category:1899 establishments in the Northwest Territories

Category:Towns in Alberta