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| Geography |  The Rural Municipality (RM) of Surprise Valley No. 9 including Townships 1, 2, and 3, and Ranges 19, 20 and 21 was the first settled in the latter part of 1908 and early 1909. It was incorporated on January 1, 1913. This municipality nudges the Montana border on the south, peaks into the Big Muddy Valley to the west, spreads out along the Salt Lakes in the east and ascends into rolling hills to the north.
The area is richly laced with historical features, which include teepee rings, rock effigies, buffalo runs, and many other landmarks depicting untold stories of days gone by. The municipality took its name from the geographical feature of rolling hills and valleys found therein. The northwestern region of the municipality consists of very deep valleys centralized around the Big Muddy Lake, an alkali lakebed. Its waters drain southeasterly through the municipality and eventually flow into the Missouri River system. These deep valleys or coulees and high hills, referred to as buttes, were given names depicting people and events in the history of the municipality. The two Villages located in this municipality are Gladmar and Minton.
| | History | Historical landmarks in this municipality are:
The Hole in the Wall Coulee, which originates in the municipality to the north, being RM of the Gap #39, runs in a southerly direction across the western portion of Township 3, Range 21 and ends in the Big Muddy. Settlers, returning home on the Hardy Trail and looking in a southwesterly direction, could see the sides of the coulee as a rectangular form over the horizon. As it resembled a hole or window in a distant wall, it came to be known as the 'Hole in the Wall'.
The Roan Mare Coulee, located in the northwest corner of the municipality, was named after a wild roan mare that frequented the coulee and often spirited away farmers' work horses.
The Carlyle Coulee, a deep valley, part of which is located in the extreme southwest corner of the municipality and adjacent to the United States (U.S) border, was named after a counterfeiter in the Jones-Nelson gang of outlaws.
Diamond Crossing, a hard-bottomed part of the Big Muddy Lake located on SE 7-2-20-W2, was used for crossing the lake. It was named for the Diamond T Ranch, whose headquarters at Culbertson, Montana always had its round-up camp near the crossing. In 1920, a Provincial Police Barracks was built near the crossing on the SE 7-2-20-W2. This was sold in 1931 and converted into the Catholic Church for the area.
Fort Comfort Post was a sod building next to a spring on the SW 17-3-20-W2. It was used as an overnight post by the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) who patrolled the area. Today, it is still recognizable as a mound where it once stood on the flat prairie.
The Quarantine, located in Township 1, Range 20 and Township 1, Range 21, was set aside as a government quarantine station in 1909. The area was unsuitable for homesteading and deemed for the purpose of quarantining livestock (ninety-day confinement) before importation into Canada from the United States. A salaried government veterinarian resided in the neighboring municipality of Happy Valley No. 10 on Section 10. Township 1, Range 22, where the Canadian Customs Office, NWMP Barracks and the Big Muddy Post Office were also located. Township 1, Range 20 was later opened to homesteaders in 1928 and Township 1, Range 21 followed in 1929.
Kelly Butte, a high hill located just northeast of Minton, was used as a lookout point by the Jones-Nelson gang. Nelson was known by the alias of Sam Kelly in this area and subsequently the hill was named Kelly Butte.
The Big Muddy Lake is an alkali lake commencing in the neighboring municipality to the west, being Happy Valley No. 10, and running southeasterly from a point where it begins in this municipality's northwest portion. Numerous bridges were built across the lake, but were continuously washed out. A new road, complete with culverts for a bridge was constructed across the Big Muddy Lake in 1988 by the RM.
Jim Creek Lake, located between Townships 1 and 2, Range 20, is presently the site for waterfowl projects conducted by Ducks Unlimited.
West Coteau Lake and East Coteau Lake, locally known as the Salt Lakes, are two saline lakes located in the southeastern corner of the municipality.
Coutlee Lake is a small lake located on the greater part of SE 22-1-19-W2 and lies between the West Coteau Lake and the East Coteau Lake.
Clear Lake, located on Sections 5 & 8-1-19-W2, was originally known as Lone Tree Lake. It was organized into a regional park in 1961 and was used for camping, fishing, and boating. The park used to host ball games and an annual Sports day. It is still a regional park but it has been inactive for a number of years now.
LaBatte Lake, commonly referred to as LaBatte Dam, is located in Sections 28 & 33-1-19-W2.
Fort Comfort Dam is a body of water covering the greater portion of the NE 24-2-21-W2.
Reserve Creek commences in the SW 13-3-19-W2 and drains southwesterly into the LaBatte dam and West Coteau Lake.
| | Economic Information | Economically, our municipality consists mainly of farming and ranching families. Gap Disposal 2001 Ltd. operates a non-hazardous general industrial waste disposal facility on the NE 16-1-19-W2. Presently, Northrock Resources Ltd. has an oilfield located immediately southeast of Gladmar and Purcell Energy Ltd. has some oil wells in the Big Muddy area west of Minton.
Some people living within the community are employed at the Canada Customs Port of Regway, which is a 24-hour port of entry located at the U.S. and Canadian border.
There is also a Co-op retail store and service station located just outside of Minton.
| | Attractions | The main attraction of our municipality is the beautiful Big Muddy Valley which our municipality starts into as you travel to its western boundary and beyond into the neighboring municipality of Happy Valley No. 10.
The other attractions are all located in the Villages within the municipality. Gladmar has a two-lane bowling alley, a Co-op grocery store, a K-12 school, and a local seniors' centre where members of the community of all ages gather for coffee and card games, etc.
Minton has a two-sheet artificial curling rink, an outdoor skating rink, an outdoor swimming pool, and an outdoor rodeo arena. Local businesses include a Credit Union, an Insurance Agency, an Implement Dealership, a Hotel/Bar, a Hair Salon, a Massage Therapist, and of course the Co-op Service Station.
| | Other Info | This municipality's organizations and community groups are those that are included in the Villages of Minton and Gladmar.
To name a few:
Minton Volunteer Fire Department
First Responders
Surprise Valley Rodeo Board
Minton Roping Club
Minton Curling Club
Minton Swimming Pool Board
Minton/Lake Alma Dance Club
Minton Friendship Club
Gladmar Bowling Alley
Gladmar Citizen's Club
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