Data Point related to: CITY/TOWN
Biggar
In 1907, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks were laid through the district, and by 1908, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad had arrived. The settlement of Biggar, named after W. H. Biggar, general counsel for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR), was incorporated as a village in 1909. In 1910, the GTPR established a divisional point in Biggar, leading to a construction boom that pushed the population past 600. Biggar became a home terminal where train crews changed, and its station, one of the largest in the west, featured a 24-hour restaurant. In 1911, Biggar was incorporated as a town.
Development continued, and by the early 1920s, the population exceeded 2,000. Over the next 30 years, the population remained stable, but Biggar saw renewed growth in the 1950s.
Today, Biggar remains a divisional point for the Canadian National Railway (CNR), employing about 190 people. The railway contributes approximately $12.3 million annually in payroll to the community. With a current population of 2,161, Biggar is a thriving and prosperous town with much to offer visitors and residents alike.
Biggar is known for several notable symbols. One of the most famous is Milo Hanson and the Hanson Buck, a world-record white-tailed deer shot on November 23, 1993. The Hanson Buck holds an official Boone and Crockett score of 213 1/8. Another symbol is Sandra Schmirler, a three-time world curling champion and the 1998 Olympic gold medalist. Schmirler grew up in Biggar and was active in curling, including winning the 1981 provincial girls high school championship. She went on to claim world titles in 1993, 1994, and 1997, with her Olympic gold medal in Nagano marking the pinnacle of her career. The Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park, officially opened on August 6, 2000, honors her legacy. It surrounds Biggar Central School 2000 and features a gazebo, soccer field, playground, a Memorial Wall, and a Wall of Fame.
Biggar is also famous for its slogan, 'New York is Big, but This is Biggar.' According to local legend, the slogan was created in 1909 by a survey crew who, after a night of drinking, wrote the phrase on a sign as a prank. The townspeople embraced it, and today, the slogan and sign are among Biggar’s most recognizable and celebrated symbols worldwide.
Type of Data Point - Website/Blog Post
History of Biggar - Town of Biggar
Visit page of City/Town - Biggar
Inserted: 09-09-2024 20:09:22
Questions related to this Data Point
How did Sandra Schmirler's achievements contribute to Biggar's recognition on the global stage?
How did the establishment of the divisional point in Biggar by the GTPR influence the town's early growth?
How did the population of Biggar evolve from the early 1900s to the 1950s?
How has Biggar’s slogan, "New York is Big, but This is Biggar," contributed to the town's reputation?
In what ways did the arrival of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway impact the settlement and development of Biggar?
What are the main features of the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park in Biggar?
What role does the Canadian National Railway play in Biggar's economy today?
What significance does the Hanson Buck hold in relation to Biggar's cultural identity?
Contexts related to this Data Point
Cities - Villages and Towns in Canada
Historical information about Canadian towns and villages
Map of Saskatchewan
Villages and Towns in Saskatchewan
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Credits: Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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