Gambo

Origin of Name: It is believed that the name Gambo is derived from the Portuguese or Spanish name that appeared on early maps of the area "Baie de las Gamas", which means Bay of the Does.

Population: 2,339 (1996), Protestant

Early Settlement: First settlers were English fishermen chasing the abundant salmon in the early 1700s. Later in the nineteenth century, Irish descendants from the southern shore and New Brunswick, came to work at the local saw mills.

Employment: Salmon fishing, lumbering, and the Newfoundland Railway have traditionally been the main industries. More recently the economy has diversified to include tourism and Gambo is a major service center for surrounding communities.

Interesting Facts about Gambo

• 1720, George Skeffington is the first European to be granted fishing rights around Freshwater Bay.
• 1863, Site of the first steam powered saw-mill used in Newfoundland which was built by David Smallwood, grandfather of Joseph R. Smallwood.
• 1892, Newfoundland Railway, running north from Placentia Bay reaches Gambo.
• 1890s, First school in the area was established in Absalom Pritchett's barn.
• 1891, John Joseph (Gambo) Murphy builds the Mint Brook saw mill and soon after founds the Avalon Telephone Company.
• 1900, Joseph R. Smallwood is born in Gambo. He later leads Newfoundland into Confederation in 1949, and is premier until 1971.
• 1907, Mint Brook Mill and townsite burn to the ground.
• 1950s, Nearby communities of Hay Cove and Mann Point are abandoned and the residents resettled to Gambo.
• 1980, Three formerly distinct communities of Dark Cove, Middle Brook, amalgamate and become the incorporated municipality of Gambo.
• 1991, Joseph R. Smallwood dies.

Historic Sites: Joseph R. Smallwood Interpretation Center, Smallwood Sculpture and Joey's Lookout.