Watson, Saskatchewan is a charming town nestled in the Rural Municipality of Lakeside No. 338. With a population of 777, this Canadian town is conveniently located at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 6, also known as the Canam Highway. Watson is equidistant from Saskatoon to the west and Regina to the south, earning it the title "Industrial Crossroads of Saskatchewan."
The history of Watson, Saskatchewan dates back to the early 1900s when settlers, primarily German American Catholics, began to arrive. The first post office was established on April 1, 1904, and was initially named Vossen after its postmaster, Frank J. Vossen Jr. However, the name was changed to Watson on May 1, 1906, in anticipation of the village's incorporation on October 6, 1906. The village was officially declared a town on August 1, 1908. The town was named after Senator Robert Watson, who originally owned the land on which the town was built. Watson celebrated its first Santa Claus Day in 1932, and in 1996, a 25-foot (7.6 m)-high Santa Claus was erected to commemorate the event.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Watson had a population of 707 living in 319 of its 356 total private dwellings. This represented a 1.4% increase from its 2016 population of 697. With a land area of 2.96 km2 (1.14 sq mi), Watson had a population density of 238.9/km2 (618.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Watson, Saskatchewan is surrounded by natural beauty. Nearby bodies of water include Jansen Lake, Houghton Lake, Lenore Lake, Ironspring Creek, and the Quill Lakes.
McNab Regional Park is a popular outdoor destination located on the south side of Watson. Accessible from Highway 6, the park features a golf course, campground, mini-golf, swimming pool, and playground. The golf course is a 9-hole, par 35 grass greens course, with men's tees totaling 3,174 yards and women's tees totaling 2,946 yards. The clubhouse is licensed and rentals are available. Founded in 1980, the park was named after the Peter McNab family. Peter McNab, a professional ice hockey player who played on five different NHL teams during the 1970s and 1980s, was present at the park's official opening. In 2001, the park was upgraded with an expanded golf course, grass greens, a new clubhouse, and a larger pool complex.
Watson is located at the junction of Saskatchewan Highway 5 and Saskatchewan Highway 6. The town is served by the Melfort Subdivision C.P.R, which connects Lanigan, Leroy, Watson, and Spalding, and the Margo Subdivision of the Canadian National Railway.
