Based largely on the timber industry, the town grew until the lumber mills were closed in 1920.

Bigelow did not exist by its current name until 1911, as it was formerly known as "Esau"—a community a few miles southwest of the present Bridge that grew to border the edge of the small town of Fourche.

Bigelow, built an elaborate white house of the best lumber on a hill above the town.

He was elected mayor, and then gained permission from the state's General Assembly to change the name of Esau to Bigelow.

[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.