World Famous Gopher Hole Museum

Fun Facts

Torrington was once a bustling little town with shops, services, and nonstop events. What would make this village of 200 so busy? Well for a place this size to have one grain elevator would be amazing. Torrington had four! This was almost unheard of. It is a true testiment if how important agriculture was, and is, to the area.  When the rail tracks were decommissioned, the grain elevators fell, the school started to cut grades, and businesses left. The Alberta government recognised the slow, steady death to rural Alberta and offered communities a one time $9000 grant to create something touristy that would bring people into  town to patronize businesses. Concerned towns people who simply wanted to save what was left of their rapidly disappearing home gathered to brainstorm ideas. After three meetings nothing struck home. They were readtmy to give up when one lady, just being cheeky said, “Why don’t we stuff gophers? We’ve got enough of them!” Everyone laughed. Then…they stopped laughing…and they created a museum. Meant to be a five year project to assist local business, most of the businesses have closed but this little museum persists. This is a love letter to days gone by.

We have been featured on Heartland, in Reader’s Digest, National Geographic,  Ripley’s Believe it or Not and more!

This quirky little museum has captured the hearts and imaginations of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. As much as the dioramas tell an important story, the legacy of this place are the people that visit. This is a place for EVERYONE. People that may never  speak outside of these walls come here and laugh together. That laughter starts a conversation and conversations change attitudes. This is not just a museum.