The economic base during the early period was lumber. After 1945, however, mixed farming became the main source of income. In 1953, all that changed when oil was found close to the hamlet.

The discovery well of the Pembina Oil Field was drilled by Mobil Oil and was spudded on February 23rd, 1953. The oil field proved the largest in North America and its impact was immediate. Other oil companies intensified their drilling in the locality. Over $900 million was invested in the area by the oil industry. Within a year, the boom was on. More than 70 oil companies set up their field-based operations in Drayton Valley.

Before the boom two churches, a post office and a two-classroom school were the focus of the community—with the arrival of the oil boom, these facilities were outgrown overnight.

In one year (1953), the town grew from 75 to 2,000 people. The hamlet continued to grow, and was incorporated as a village in February 1956. Two other communities also grew out of the influx of workers—Lodgepole and Cynthia. Drayton Valley was the main service and residential centre, and on February 7th, 1957, Drayton Valley was officially incorporated as a town.

~ Town of Drayton Valley Website