Gander

Origin of Name: Community of Gander, Gander Bay, Gander Lake, and the Gander River were named after the abundant amount of wild geese in the area.

Population: 10,364, Catholic, Protestant

Early Settlement: Permanent settlement began in 1936, with the construction of the international airport.

Employment: Airport, light manufacturing, service, government services, education and health care make up a substantial part of the local economy.

Interesting Facts about Gander

• 1936, Civil Engineer T.A. Hall arrives on the shores of Gander Lake at Mile Post 213 of the Newfoundland Railway, and decides that the regions flat terrain will be the ideal location for the construction of a airport.
• 1937, By the end of this year 900 men are working building the airport.
• 1938, Airport runways are operational, and Captain Douglas Fraser, flying a single engine, Fox Moth makes the first landing at the new airport.
• 1939, Outbreak of WW II in Europe; Gander's strategic position plays a major role in the war.
• 1939-45, Thousands of planes, enroute to Europe, stop-over and refuel at Gander.
• 1941, Royal Canadian Air Force establishes a hospital.
• 1941, First school is constructed.
• 1945, Newfoundland government takes over control of the airport. By the end of the year, Pan-American World Airways, Trans-World Airline and British Overseas Airway Corporation (later known as British Airways) begin regular air service through Gander.
• 1950s, Residents are moved from old 'airport' townsite, to the site of present day Gander.
• 1950s and 60s, Gander airport is one of the busiest international airports in the world with most international flights between North America and Europe stopping to refuel at Gander.
• 1963, New hospital opens, named after James G. Paton, who had served as Gander's Chief Medical Officer for 18 years.
• 1967, Czechoslovakian Expo '67 pavilion is donated to Gander for assistance in Czech air crash, now housed the Arts and Culture Center.
• 1985, Arrow Air crash. 256 members of the United States 101st Screaming Eagles die in an air crash 4 kilometers from Gander, minutes after taking off from Gander airport.

Local Historic Sites: North Atlantic Aviation Museum; Silent Witness Memorial, Provincial Aviation Exhibit (Gander Airport) and Commonwealth War Graves.