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Oil In 1938, Shaunavon became the oil distribution centre for all plants within a 30-mile radius, as decided by the B.A. Oil Company. In 1942 the Tide Water Associated Oil Company was interested in the region of southwest Saskatchewan for the development of oil. The discovery of oil in the region was in 1952  and the initial production came from Delta field, Dollard and Eastend. This area is called The Shaunavon Formation and it is split into two members; The upper member and the lower member.

Dollard, approximately 13.4 kms west of Shaunavon, district’s oil was rated as one of province’s best oil wells in September 1952. In November 1952, the company announced that two more wells will be drilled in area. With this discovery of oil, Shaunavon experienced a population boom and an increase in housing soon after. In March 1954 Tide Water’s 15th well was drilled in Dollard medium gravity oil field.

The early1950s was a great year for the oil industry in Southwest Saskatchewan. In March of 1953, Saskatchewan’s oil reserves were at 124,000,000 barrels, increasing from 21,000,000 from 1951.

Coal Before the discovery of oil in 1952, Shaunavon relied on coal. Coal was dug outside Shaunavon in the hills and used to heat homes. Coal was used as barter during the Depression. In 1932 the promise of Shaunavon Coal Company’s mine was rising and Roe’s Coal Mine sold tunnel coal for $1.75 a ton and open mine coal for $1.50 a ton. In November 1942 the town feared a shortage of coal and in October 1945 there was a shortage of miners and high demand for coal. Unfortunately, coal labour was cheap and miners were paid minimal.

Today, Shaunavon is amoung one of the five operating coals mines in the entire province and amoung one of three coal fields in Saskatchewan that contain almost five billion tonnes of Lignite resources. This means it is able to supply the province with thermal electric power for 300 years with the current rate of consumption.

World War I/ World War II/ Korean War In 1939, 83 men of the 14th Canadian Light Horse left for Dundurn approximately 391 kms northeast of Shaunavon. In May 1940, 65 men applied for active war service. In total, from the town and area there were 600 men enlisted in World War I. In October 1940 Shaunavon local, Dennis King with the C.A.S.F. England captured a German pilot after his plane was shot down.

War efforts from Shaunavon were not just seen in battle because in the town war service drives commenced. June 1940, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary sent cigarette and blankets as gifts to local boys overseas and in 1943, the Shaunavon Services Committee sent parcels to 85 boys serving. Importantly, the Shaunavon Plaza Theatre gave a benefit performance to help boost the sale of War Saving Certificates and Stamps in July 1940.

The town was able to financially contribute to the Second World War. This included $6,580 in 1941, $3,750 in 1942, and $10,000 in 1943 -1945.

Today, Shaunavon’s local cenotaph still stands in Memorial Park, to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the World Wars. The cenotaph was built in 1925 and unveiled after completion in November 1926. It was built to commemorate those who fought in the First World War and a sealed list of men from the Shaunavon district is enclosed in the cenotaph. After the Second World War, the cenotaph then held a plaque of all those who were killed.

Water In May 1937, the town celebrated the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The Royal family was celebrated with flags decorating homes and shops. Citizens tuned into the radio to listen to the official broadcast of the coronation; it was a major event. The Royal family was celebrated with flags decorating homes and shops. Citizens tuned into the radio to listen to the official broadcast of the coronation; it was a major event. It was a big deal in 1939 when the Royal family visited Shaunavon. The Royal train, that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were on, stopped in the town and asked to supply them with spring water. The infamous, “Oasis of the Prairies” water was given to the Royal family and nicknamed the Royal Water. and nicknamed the Royal Water.