Dover

Origin of Name: Original name was Shoal Bay, in recognition of the many offshore shoals. For a time it was also known as Wellington, but the name was changed to Dover after confederation in order to avoid confusion with other Wellington's in other parts of Canada.

Population: 821 (1996), primarily Protestant

Early Settlement: Original settlers were Maritime Archaic, Palaeoeskimo and Beothuk Indians. The first Europeans to settle in the area arrived in the latter part of the 1800s. Employment: Lumber, and fishing have been the traditional industries. Lumber and manufacturing make up a significant part of the economy today.

Interesting Facts about Dover

• Pre 1850s, Beothuk and their predecessors, the Maritime Archaic and the Palaoeskimo hunt, trap and fish in the area.
• 1890s, First European settlers arrive attracted by the fishing and rich forests.
• 1891, First census of the area is taken indicating a population of 17.
• 1901, Population increases to 66.
• Early 1900s, Some of the more common names in the community are the Collins, Nobles, Keats and Parsons.
• 1907, First Post Office is established in the area.
• 1908, Captain Robert Tilley, stationed at Mill Brook, ministers the Salvation Army faith in Dover.
• 1910, First store in community is opened by William and Eliza Noble.
• 1917, One room schoolhouse is built in Dover.
• 1942, A Digby B-18 Bomber crashes in Dover.
• 1960, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches are established.
• 1925, New Salvation Army Citadel is constructed.
• 1930, Nathan Parsons brings the first radio to the area.
• 1943, New one room school house is built.
• 1952, First road is completed from Hare Bay to Dover.
• 1960s, Families from Burnt Island are resettled to Dover.
• 1966, New modern High School opens.
• 1971, Dover is incorporated as a community.
• 1972, Lieutenant Governor officially changes the name of the community to Dover.
• 1996, Dover Fault Interpretation Site, in recognition of the 410 million year Dover Fault.