The area around Gladmar was settled around the turn of the 20th century, a period when a large number of Norwegians migrated into Saskatchewan from older settlements in the northern United States.

In 1910 the Eidness Brothers obtained a coal lease on land in the Gladmar area from the government, with an annual rent of $1.00 per acre.

The first mail was brought to Gladmar by Lars Lunde on skis from a small school halfway to Radville.

In 1912 the first General Store was built by the Eidness brothers and the first church service was conducted by Mr. Hoffman in a new 14' by 18' (4.2 x 5.5 m) building in August 1912.

The area surrounding Gladmar consists of rolling hills and valleys which flatten out into salt lakes to the southeast.

[8] Gladmar is situated in the southern tip of Canada's grain belt, and due to a generally dry climate, soil erosion from strong gusting winds and rivers has long been a concern in the region.

[11] Some plant species indigenous to the area include western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), snowberry (Symphoricarpos), and silver sage.

Animal species that can be found in the area include: golden eagle, pronghorn, prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), sage grouse (Centrocercus), prairie falcons, bobcats,Gila Monsters, and porcupines.

[16] The majority of work within Gladmar and the surrounding area takes place on family-owned farms and ranches.

[4] After the coal mine was closed many people were employed at the sodium sulphate plant outside of town.

It was eventually purchased by Saskatchewan Minerals in 1981 only to be closed in 1984 in response to a shift in market conditions.

[19] At present, there is an oilfield owned and operated by Northrock Resources Ltd. to the southeast of Gladmar[20] and a Class II Industrial Oilfield Waste Disposal Facility operated by GAP Disposal Ltd. to the South.

[21] Some five trucking companies operate out of the Gladmar area servicing the surrounding region's agriculture and oil sectors.