History of Estevan The Estevan area is rich in energy resources and has a substantial history of trade and industry. Hardwoods which grew here 25 million years ago have been formed into the area's lignite coal, and marine plants and animals of the Paleozoic era have become abundant oil and gas reserves.
Settlement of Estevan began in 1892, with the extension of the CPR line from Brandon to Estevan. Extension of the Soo Line railway between North Portal and Moose Jaw brought many American settlers to the area, acceleration the pace of settlement, and placed Estevan on a major northwest - southeast trade route terminating in Minneapolis. In 1899, Estevan was incorporated as a village, and became a town in 1906, with a population of about 600. By World War I, Estevan was known as an agriculture service center, a railway divisional point, and a coal mining centre.