Watson, Saskatchewan
Encyclopedia
History
Settlers began arriving in the early 1900s, many of them German AmericanGerman American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
Catholics. The first post office in the area was established on April 1, 1904 and named named Vossen after its postmaster, Frank J. Vossen Jr. It was changed to Watson on May 1, 1906, in advance of the village's incorporation on October 6, 1906. The village became a town on August 1, 1908. The town's namesake is Senator Robert Watson
Robert Watson (Canadian politician)
Robert Watson was an industrialist and political figure in Manitoba, Canada. He represented Marquette in the Canadian House of Commons from 1883 to 1892 as a Liberal and Portage La Prairie in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a Liberal from 1892 to 1899...
. Senator Watson, originally owned the land the town was built on. Watson celebrated its first Santa Claus Day in 1932, and in 1996 erected a 25 feet (7.6 m)-high Santa Claus to commemorate the event.
Geography
- Lat (DMS) 52° 07' 00" N
- Long (DMS) 104° 31' 00" W
- Dominion Land Survey Vossen Sec.16, Twp.37, R.18, W2
- Dominion Land Survey Watson Sec.28, Twp.36, R.18, W2
- Time zone (cst) UTC-6
Jansen Lake, Houghton Lake, Lenore Lake, Ironspring Creek, Big Quill Lake and Little Quill Lake are all close to Watson.
Transportation
The town is located at the junction of Saskatchewan Highway 5Saskatchewan Highway 5
This article focuses on the current designated Saskatchewan Highway 5, for Provincial Highway 5, Evergreen route portion, north west of Saskatoon see Saskatchewan Highway 16....
and Saskatchewan Highway 6
Saskatchewan Highway 6
Highway 6 is a paved undivided major provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from Montana Highway 16 at the Saskatchewan border with the US near the Canada customs port of Regway to Highway 55 near Choiceland. Highway 6 is about long. The CanAm Highway comprises ...
.
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company
Saskatchewan Transportation Company
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company is a Crown Corporation of the Government of Saskatchewan, created in 1946 by an Order in Council....
provides inter-city bus service to the town.
Saskatchewan railways and railway stations
(historic or current)- Lanigan - Naicam Branch C.P.RCanadian Pacific RailwayThe Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
-- serves Lanigan, Sinnett, Leroy, Romance, Watson, Daphne, Spalding
Sites of interest
The Canadian Bank of CommerceCanadian Bank of Commerce (Watson, Saskatchewan)
The Canadian Bank of Commerce in Watson, Saskatchewan, was constructed in 1906 in a Greek Revival style. The Toronto firm of Pearson and Darling served as architects. This building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1977 and currently houses the Watson and District Heritage Museum....
was constructed in 1906 in Greek Revival architecture
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
. This building was established as a National Historic Site in 1977. The building of historical significance since it was prefabricated by B.C. Mills, Timber & Trading Company and then assembled on side, this was in an attempt to establish a presence in the area before other banks arrived. The Watson and District Heritage Museum is currently housed in the original bank site. McNab Regional Park is a nearby campground facility with swimming pool, playground, and golf course.
Notable Watsonians
- Dustin TokarskiDustin TokarskiDustin Tokarski is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League . He is a prospect of the Tampa Bay Lightning, drafted by the National Hockey League team as their fifth round selection, 122nd overall at the 2008 NHL Entry...
- NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Goaltender - Ross LonsberryRoss LonsberryDavid Ross Lonsberry is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins...
- NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Player - Max McNabMax McNabMaxwell Douglas McNab was a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and NHL general manager. He was born in Watson, Saskatchewan...
- NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Player, Coach, GM - Rod GantefoerRod GantefoerRod Gantefoer is a Canadian provincial politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan since 1995, representing the constituencies of Melfort-Tisdale from 1995 to 2003 and Melfort since 2003....
- Legislative Assembly of SaskatchewanLegislative Assembly of SaskatchewanThe 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
MLA, Finance Minister