For centuries before European settlers reached this area and inhabited it, Indigenous clans of the
Blackfoot,
Peigan and
Kootenai passed through, lived in or frequented the region. The town received its name in 1868 when a group of prospectors lost a
pincer in the small creek at this location. These pincers would have been used as a device for trimming the feet of the
horses and thus had some value to the group. In 1874, the
North-West Mounted Police came to
southern Alberta. One of them discovered the rusting tools in the creek, and they named the area Pincher Creek. Pincher Creek was officially listed as a place name in the Geological Survey Report, 1880. In 1876, the
NWMP established a horse farm in the area. It closed in 1881, but many of the troops stayed to help the town. James Schofield opened Pincher Creek's first store in 1884. By 1885 Pincher Creek had a store known as Schofield & Hyde General Store. Harry Hyde succeeded Schofield as Pincher Creek's first postmaster. In 1898, Pincher Creek was incorporated a village. In 1906, the community was officially incorporated as a town and named
Pincher Creek. Many residents are descendants of the pioneer families who settled there over 100 years ago. == Geography ==