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| Geography |  The R.M. of Arlington No. 79 is situated between the towns of Shaunavon and Eastend in southwest Saskatchewan. The east half of the municipality is relatively flat cultivated land and the west, known as the 'Bench', has a considerably higher elevation with a landscape of rolling hills and wooded valleys. The municipality consists of 9 townships and has a population of 336.
| | History | The incorporation of the R.M. of Arlington No. 79 took place in 1913. Prior to this time, there was a great deal of activity within the area.
The small settlement at Chimney Coulee combines three themes in western Canadian history: the Metis, the Hudson's Bay Company and the North-West Mounted Police. The settlement may be viewed either as the end of the era of exploration driven by the fur trade in western Canada or the beginning of the modern era of settlement and integration into the Canadian federation. The piles of stone and mud that can be found along the valley are the remains of the chimneys which stood for many years to mark the sites of Metis cabins, trading posts and a police post. From possibly as early as 1860 Metis hunters and traders spent their winters here. There was also a Roman Catholic chapel that was maintained at the site for their use and visited by two priests.
Some of the chimneys mark the location of a Hudson's Bay Company outpost that was operated by Isaac Cowie during the winter of 1871-72. Cowie's party secured more buffalo meat than they could carry away as well as 750 grizzly bear skins and 1500 red deer skins. In spite of the success he encountered while here, he never returned to this no-man's land, where the clashing of Cree, Assiniboine and Blackfoot often occurred.
In 1876, the North West Mounted Police established an outpost of Fort Walsh here known as the Eastend post because of its location at the east end of the Cypress Hills. The outpost's main purpose was to stop the whiskey trade in the Cypress Hills and in response to the arrival of the refugee Sioux from the US. The outpost was eventually moved to the future townsite of Eastend.
By 1887 the Chimney Coulee area was basically uninhabited. In the first and second decade of the twentieth century, the railway network and settlement pattern was established in the area. Ranches and farms began to spring up and although the area is drought prone, dryland farming techniques were developed.
Harold Jones, a local rancher, had a keen interest in geology and fossil-finding. In the 1930's he was responsible for a find of major importance. A rich record of Tertiary (the time period after the dinosaurs) mammals including brontothere skulls were located. His interest and persistance contributed to outstanding palaeontological and archaeological research in the area.
Oil was discovered in 1952. Since that time and through to the present exploration has continued.
| | Economic Information | The economy is based mainly on grain production and mixed farming, ranching, and the oil industry. The R.M. contains oil wells and two large diameter pipelines (Plains Marketing Canada P.L. and Foothills Pipelines Ltd.).
The council consists of a reeve and six councillors who manage the affairs of the municipality through the office located in Shaunavon. The taxable assessment of $40,286,390 is divided almost equally between agricultural assessments and oil well/pipeline assessments.
The major oil companies within the area are Talisman Energy Inc., Acclaim Energy Inc., and EnerMark Inc.
Great Western Railway (short line rail)runs through the municipality and is one of the major employers.
Goulet Trucking (1989) Ltd. is located in Dollard (a Hamlet within the R.M.) and is another of the municipalities major employers.
| | Attractions | Pine Cree Regional Park and Chimney Coulee Heritage site are contained in a beautiful setting north of Eastend. Pine Cree Park is hidden in a scenic valley, predominantly covered with pine trees, through which flows a crystal clear spring fed creek. This park has 29 sites available for picnics and camping with amenities such as barbeques, playgrounds, ball diamonds and bridges.
Chimney Coulee is about 7 kilometres north of the town of Eastend. The coulee, located at the east end of the Cypress Hills, is a steep walled gully about three to four metres deep and three kilometres long. There is considerable history associated with the Coulee, as it was an early fur trading area and Metis settlement site.
The Rock Creek and Country Club is located within the municipality two miles west of Shaunavon. It is a 9 hole grass green golf course complete with watered fairways, pro shop and licensed lounge.
The Shaunavon Rodeo Grounds are adjacent to the golf course. The Shaunavon Rodeo Association has hosted amateur and professional events for over 40 years.
The Avon Heights Grazing Co-op is operated by various cattle producers from the area and encompasses 3840 acres.
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