It was originally incorporated as a rural municipality on December 22, 1883.
[2] The RM was located in an area of mixed farming positioned on the southeast side of Riding Mountain National Park.
The communities of Hilltop and Scandinavia were formed by Swedish settlers in the late 19th century.
The RM took its name from the community of Clanwilliam to the south, which is now located in the Rural Municipality of Minto-Odanah.
In 1902 when the RM of Minto was formed, the two most southern townships of Clanwilliam were placed in that entity.