Watson

History

Settlers began arriving in the early 1900s, many of them German American Catholics. The first post office in the area was established on April 1, 1904 and named Vossen after its postmaster, Frank J. Vossen Jr. It was changed to Watson on May 1, 1906, in advance of the village's incorporation on October 6, 1906. The town's namesake is Senator Robert Watson. Senator Watson originally owned the land the town was built on. Watson celebrated its first Santa Claus Day in 1932, and in 1996 erected a -high Santa Claus to commemorate the event.

Geography

Jansen Lake, Houghton Lake, Lenore Lake, Ironspring Creek, and the Quill Lakes are all close to Watson.

Most-observed species

• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  33
• Savannah Sparrow

  Passerculus sandwichensis (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  30
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  28
• Clay-colored Sparrow

  Spizella pallida (Swainson, 1832) · Aves
  17
• Black-billed Magpie

  Pica hudsonia (Sabine, 1823) · Aves
  17
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  16
• Brewer's Blackbird

  Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler, 1829) · Aves
  15
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  15