Watson | |
---|---|
Town | |
Main Street
|
|
Motto: Industrial Crossroads of Saskatchewan | |
Location in Saskatchewan | |
Coordinates: 52°7′N 104°31′W / 52.117°N 104.517°WCoordinates: 52°7′N 104°31′W / 52.117°N 104.517°W | |
Country | Canada |
Provinces and territories of Canada | Saskatchewan |
Rural Municipalities (R.M.) | Lakeside |
Post office founded (as Vossen) | 1904-04-01 |
Incorporated (village) | 1906-05-01 |
Incorporated (town) | August 1, 1908 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Norma Weber |
Area | |
• Total | 2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 777 |
• Density | 274.7/km2 (711/sq mi) |
Watson is a town of 777 residents in the rural municipality of Lakeside, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Watson is located on the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 6, the Canam Highway. Watson is approximately the same distance from Saskatoon which is to the west, and Regina to the south, which gives rise to its town motto, Industrial Crossroads of Saskatchewan.
Settlers began arriving in the early 1900s, many of them German American Catholics. The first post office in the area was established on April 1, 1904 and 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. 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-foot (7.6 m)-high Santa Claus to commemorate the event.
Jansen Lake, Houghton Lake, Lenore Lake, Ironspring Creek, Big Quill Lake and Little Quill Lake are all close to Watson.
The town is located at the junction of Saskatchewan Highway 5 and Saskatchewan Highway 6.
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company provides inter-city bus service to the town.
Melfort Subdivision C.P.R—serves Lanigan, Leroy, Watson, Spalding