On 6 March 1844, Tasmanian pastoralists Edward Leake and Robert Leake established Glencoe as a sheep station covering. They brought with them Saxon Merino sheep, cattle, and broke horses nearby at Lake Leake establishing the Inverary run with Adam Lindsay Gordon. On the death of Robert in 1860, his brother Edward inherited Glencoe Station, and continued to build the Glencoe Woolshed in 1863. Edward died in 1867. Letitia Leake sold the station to John Riddoch and George Riddoch, who later divided the property between themselves. When the Riddoch brothers dissolved their partnership in 1898, George took the northern half, which he named "Koorine". John broke up his portion for closer settlement.
The Glencoe Woolshed is a heritage listed, 36 stand, sheep sheering shed built in 1863 by brothers Edward and Robert Leake. Constructed from local limestone and hand-hewn hardwood timber, it has been maintained in its original condition and now serves as a museum. The shed was not converted to mechanical sheers, and remains operational as a blade shearing shed, now hosting shearing exhibitions and guided tours. It is located in the centre of the town, and forms a part of the larger Glencoe Station settlement, including the former homestead, Frontier House, and the Glencoe Station stables and coach-house. The historic Glencoe Woolshed and Glencoe Station Stables and coach-house are listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.
Wandilo-Glencoe Railway
On 22 August 1904, the, narrow-gauge Wandilo-Glencoe Railway officially began operation. It branched from the Mount Gambier-Naracoorte siding at Wandilo — north-west of Mount Gambier. The branch was built to service the local agriculture and horticulture industry. The branch was decommissioned in June 1957 when the main line was converted to broad-gauge.
Etymology
The settlement was named in honour of John McIntyre’s birthplace, Glen Coe, Scotland. The Aboriginal name for the district was kilap, “deep water”.
Economy
Surrounding Glencoe are pine tree plantations used in the production of paper pulp and for the supply to sawmills in the area. Sheep and cattle farming is also a strong part of the economy.
Education
The town has one R-7 primary school and one pre-school, Glencoe Central Primary School and Glencoe & District Kindergarten.
Sport
The single main sporting complex in Glencoe caters for multiple sporting leagues and activities including Australian Rules Football, cricket, netball and tennis. The facilities include: an oval, shared cricket and football clubrooms, football change rooms, shared tennis and netball clubrooms and change rooms. The Glencoe Football Club which is a part of the Mid South Eastern Football League has 4 teams; A-Grade, B-Grade, Senior Colts and Junior Colts. Glencoe was also a founding member of the league when it was established in 1936.
Lake Leake
Lake Leake, an extinct volcanic crater associated with the Newer Volcanics Province, formed when rising red-hot molten rock encountered water in the limestone plain. Massive steam-driven explosions blew rock and lava high into the air. Powdered rock and rocks fell back to form a low rim around a wide flat crater - a part of which remains today. Lake Leake and the nearby Lake Edward, are unique in the Mount Burr Range. They perch above the regions water table and are filled by rainwater and run-off only. Pollen spores collected from lake sediment indicate that the volcanic activity occurred here much earlier than 20,000 years ago.
