Photograph courtesy Biggar Museum & Gallery View of the 200 Block of Main Street, East side c1912 showing The Independent

The original newspaper in Biggar was The Biggar World. It printed its first issue on August 19, 1909. S. Dillingham was the managing editor and C.J. Dillingham was the publisher. Although uncertain it was thought to be in the building presently operated by Sears. The original subscription price was $1.00 per year.

In 1910 it was sold to W. Huntingford and renamed The Biggar Independent. In 1912 it was moved to the corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave West. Mr D.J. Stuart began his apprenticeship this year.

Photograph courtesy Biggar Museum & Gallery* View of Second Ave. West showing The Independent.

H.C. Skinner bought the paper in 1913 and D.J. Stuart became a partner in 1921. In 1921 The Independent moved to the Lemon block on 3rd Ave West. Mr Skinner retired in 1937 and his son Les came into the business. The building was then moved to its present location. Mr Stuarts two sons, Francis and Bob, took over when Les Skinner moved to B.C.

Bill and Kay Morphy took over in 1956 till 1974 when Terry and Cheryl Coombs bought The Independent. In 1978 Jack Hamilton and partners Dave Lucuik and Tom Wilson bought it and in 1979 Jack and Dave bought out Tom. These two worked together until 1981 when Jack and Brenda bought out Dave. In 1989 the present owners and editors - Peggy and Daryl Hasein bought The Independent.

The Independent, in co-operation with Corporal Barry Weafer of the RCMP were instrumental in developing and producing "Grainfetti". No one will ever know how many grain thieves this product has deterred.

Through the years the Independent has printed the paper for Kerrobert, Rosetown, Eston and Kindersley. Smaller newspapers in Landis and Perdue could not survive in the high costs of newsprint and were absorbed by the Biggar Independent in the 1950's and 60's respectively