| Coordinates | 51.16°N 105.58°W |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Census division | No. 11 |
| Rural Municipality | No. 252 |
| Mayor | Eli Lichtenwald |
| Governing body | Davidson Town Council |
| Post Office established | 1903 |
| Village Incorporated | March 7, 1904 |
| Town Incorporated | November 15, 1906 |
| Area land | 4.49 km² |
| Population as of | 2011 |
| Population total | 1025 |
| Population density | 228.4 km² |
| Time zone | CST |
| Postal code | S0G 1A0 |
| Area code | 306 |
| Highways | Highway 11 |
| Waterways | Lake Diefenbaker Last Mountain Lake |
| Website | Official website |
Davidson is a town in south central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is 104 kilometres (65 mi) south-east of Saskatoon beside provincial highway 11 as well as Highway 44, in the Rural Municipality of Arm River No. 252. Approximately halfway between Saskatoon and Regina, it is a popular stopping point with many restaurants and gas stations located adjacent to the highway.
History
In 1902 Colonel Andrew Duncan Davidson, an enthusiastic entrepreneur from Glencoe, Ontario, came to Saskatchewan in hopes of creating a 'midway' settlement between the cities of Regina and Saskatoon. With agriculture as one of his driving passions, Davidson, through the Saskatchewan Valley Land Company, purchased 700,000 acres (280,000 ha) from the railway and the federal government[1] in an area where the soil was particularly suitable for grain farming. Davidson organized a train route that travelled from Chicago to Saskatoon; making one stop in Davidson on the way. This train route brought American bankers, entrepreneurs and newspapermen in hopes of starting up new businesses in the area. With the expansion of the community underway, Davidson also managed to sell more than 180,000 acres (73,000 ha) of land in the area.[2]
Within a short period of time, Davidson, which was declared the name of the community, was nicknamed the 'Midway Town' because of its central location. On 15 November 1906, Davidson was officially declared a town.[3]
During World War II the Royal Canadian Air Force built and operated RCAF Station Davidson as a component of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.[4] The station was constructed on a site 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) east of the town. This site should not be confused with Davidson Municipal Airport which is adjacent to the town, on the south end.
Geography
Climate
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Davidson had a population of 1,044 living in 466 of its 524 total private dwellings, a change of -0.38% from its 2016 population of 1,048. With a land area of 4.05 km2 (1.56 sq mi), it had a population density of in 2021.[5]
Sports and recreation
Hockey, baseball, fitness, curling, figure skating, dance, gymnastics, and riding are some of the activities offered to members of the community. The Davidson Cyclones of the Saskatchewan Valley Hockey League play at the Davidson AGT Centre.[6]
Davidson is home to the 9-hole grass green, Davidson Golf and Country Club.
The swimming pool beside the local campground offers swimming lessons.
Education
Davidson Elementary School and Davidson High School are part of the Sun West School Division.
Notable residents
- Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients
- Nolan Allan, NHL hockey player for the San Jose Sharks
- Gay Caswell, writer and provincial politician
- Lee Clark, federal politician
- Cory Sarich, Retired NHL player
- Duncan Selby Hutcheon, provincial politician
- Cliff Shaw, Retired CFL player for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Wayne Shaw, Retired CFL player for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Brayden McNabb, NHL hockey player for the Vegas Golden Knights
- Robert Gordon Robertson, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
Media
The community newspaper is The Davidson Leader, publishing since 1904.
See also
References
- ^ "Saskatchewan Valley Land Co.". Liberal Party (Canada). c. 1906. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
- ^ Regehr, Theodore D. "Davidson, Andrew Duncan". Vol. XIV. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
- ^ McLennan, David (2006). "Davidson". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. online ed. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
- ^ Hatch, F. J. (1983). The Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939-1945. Ottawa: Directorate of History, Department of National Defence. pp. 133–134, 207. ISBN 0-660-11443-7. Archived from the original on 2014-02-11. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Valley Hockey League"