Big Beaver is a hamlet of approximately 21 people, today. In 1928, when the Canadian Pacific Railroad (C.P.R.) brought the rails eastward from Buffalo Gap, it became the end of the rail line. The settlement received its name after Canada's national emblem, the beaver. The railway crewmen spotted a very large beaver swimming in a beaver pond several miles out of town. There was already a Beaver Creek School east of the hamlet and the Big part stayed.  The hamlet grew as elevators and businesses flourished in the farming and ranching district.

Big Beaver is located in the rolling hills of the Saskatchewan’s Badlands (Big Muddy). This is about 2 hours Southwest of Regina, Saskatchewan near the Montana border.

Around 1925, the C.P.R built eastward from Rockglen to Coronach. The idea was to connect to Minton, Saskatchewan. The work on this stretch (Coronach to Minton) began in 1927. The campsites moved with the railroad. The last one being set-up near present day Big Beaver. The rough terrain of the Big Muddy badlands caused issues. The surveyors could not agree on the best route to Minton, so work was stopped until head office made a decision. The present site of Big Beaver became the end of the line. A "Y" was built to turn the train around. A round-house was built to store the engine overnight. Then stockyards were built for local ranchers to ship stock from. As this was happening, tents and buildings sprang up. There was a drug store, livery, stable, bank, grocery stores, implement dealers, hotel, lumberyard, and elevators. There were even blind pig establishments and flop houses, one named the "De Gut" and another the "Dirty Little Shame". This is the current site of the hamlet of Big Beaver. The railway was never extended and it still remains at the end of the line.

In 1928, the train came to Big Beaver three nights a week. The mail came in on the train, then was sorted by the post-mistress. Big Beaver still has a Post Office with a Post Mistress. People came to town to get their mail, shop, and socialize. In 1945, the train only came two nights a week. On train nights, the stores were open till 11pm. If there was a dance people would come from other towns and return the next morning. The train would leave at 6am the next morning.

Big Beaver also had it's crime. There was a bank robbery in 1929. Also, the notorious bank robber Rossler was tracked from Montreal to Big Beaver. Rossler was later hanged. Jack Breton was the first Town Constable in 1931 paid $20 a month. A story, yet to be verified, says that Big Beaver made Ripley's Believe It or Not. This was in regard to an establishment called "The Dirty Little Shame" which was referred to by Ripley as an eating establishment, but it really was a boot-legging joint. There were ten or more stills within miles of Big Beaver. There were a lot of the first residents that were in the business of selling the products of these stills.

Like many small towns the way of life started to vanish. In 1984 Big Beaver lost it's C.P. Rail tracks. Soon after, in 1985 they lost their last grain elevator. In 1986 Big Beaver closed the school. In Big Beaver's heyday they supported a school, 2 garages, three churches, five elevators, and don't forget the Massey and John Deere Dealership. Big Beaver also took a hit when Highway 34 from the Port of Big Beaver (Montana border) was not extended directly up to Regina, Saskatchewan (Capital City of Saskatchewan). Some people in the area feel the oil and gas industry will help start a revival in the area. But for now the future and existence of Big Beaver, which started out so promising, now lies on the shoulders of Aust's General Store.

Authentic Big Beaver, Saskatchewan Clothing!