Gander history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Gander is unique in that the city was created specifically to serve aviation, rather than growing from a historical settlement. Its history officially began in 1935, when a group of experts selected a plateau near Gander Lake as the ideal location for constructing what was then the largest airport in the world.

Originally, this site was simply called "Newfoundland Airport". Construction began in 1936, and the first aircraft landed here in 1938. The city and airport received the name "Gander" later, named after the nearby lake and river.

Key Development Factors

Gander's development was predetermined by its exceptional strategic importance for transatlantic flights. Key factors included:

• Geography: The city is located almost exactly on the Great Circle line between the eastern coast of North America and London, making it an ideal refueling point for aircraft.
• Climate and Landscape: The site was chosen due to its high location on a plateau, where fog occurred significantly less frequently than on the coast, which was critical for flight safety at that time.
• Aviation as a Driver: The entire infrastructure and economy were initially built around serving aircraft and passengers, earning Gander the unofficial title "Crossroads of the World".

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In its early years, life in Gander was closely tied to military and civil aviation missions. During the Second World War, the airport became a key base for ferrying aircraft to Europe (RAF Ferry Command), leading to rapid population growth due to military and support personnel.

The economy of early Gander was entirely dependent on the airport. A unique community formed here, consisting of pilots, engineers, and their families arriving from different corners of the world. This gave the city a cosmopolitan character atypical for small Newfoundland settlements of that time. It was only in the 1950s, when housing construction moved further away from the runways, that Gander began to acquire the features of a fully-fledged municipality.

The Aviation Era and Wartime

• 1935 — A government commission selected the plateau near Gander Lake as the ideal site for building a strategic airport.
• 1938 — Captain Douglas Fraser made the first official landing at the new airport in a Fox Moth aircraft.
• 1940 — The airport became a key base for the Ferry Command for ferrying military aircraft to Europe.
• 1945 — With the end of the war, Gander transformed into a major civilian refueling hub for transatlantic flights.
• 1949 — Following Newfoundland's entry into the Confederation, Gander officially became part of Canada.

City Development and Modern History

• 1950s — Large-scale construction of residential quarters began away from the airport, forming the modern structure of the city.
• 1958 — Gander was officially incorporated and received the municipal status of the Town of Gander.
• 1959 — Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the new international terminal, known for its unique modernist design.
• 1985 — The city was shaken by the Arrow Air Flight 1285 disaster, which became the largest aviation accident on Canadian soil.
• 2001 — During the events of September 11, the city received 38 aircraft and nearly 7,000 passengers, displaying unprecedented hospitality.
• 2017 — The global success of the musical "Come From Away" attracted a new wave of tourists wishing to learn the story of the local residents' kindness.

Stages of Development and Their Significance

The history of Gander is an example of how global technological shifts shape the destiny of a small city. Here are the key milestones that defined its modern economic and cultural appearance:

• Creation of a Strategic Aviation Hub (1935–1938)
  The selection of a plateau in Newfoundland for airport construction was a city-forming event. This decision turned an uninhabited area into an intersection of world routes, laying the foundation for a single-industry economy entirely dependent on aviation.
• Military Expansion and "Ferry Command" (1940s)
  During the Second World War, Gander became a vital link in ferrying Allied aircraft. This led to the first demographic explosion and the creation of large-scale infrastructure, which was later adapted for civilian needs.
• Urban Planning Reform (1950s)
  A crucial stage of urbanization: the city was physically moved away from the runways. Chaotic construction of temporary barracks was replaced by a master plan with modern streets, schools, and residential quarters, turning the temporary settlement into a proper municipality.
• Opening of the International Terminal (1959)
  The launch of the modernist-style terminal cemented Gander's status as the "Crossroads of the World". The building became not only a transport hub but also a cultural phenomenon where people from all over the world met, and interiors featuring designer furniture and murals became symbols of an era of optimism.
• Adaptation to the Jet Age (1960s – 1980s)
  With the advent of long-haul jet liners, the need for refueling decreased. The city had to transform its economy, reorienting towards air traffic control, cargo flight servicing, and military logistics.
• Operation Yellow Ribbon (2001)
  Hosting thousands of passengers after the September 11 attacks became a turning point for the city's cultural identity. The hospitality shown demonstrated the unique social capital of the local community, which later formed the basis for global recognition.
• Development of Event Tourism (from 2017)
  The success of the Broadway musical "Come From Away" opened a new economic chapter. Gander became a popular tourist destination, monetizing its history and culture of hospitality, which gave impetus to the development of the service and hospitality sectors.

Urban Planning Uniqueness: A City Born of Aviation

The architectural appearance of Gander differs radically from classic cities with centuries of history. You will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here. Gander is a unique example of planned urban development of the mid-20th century, a true "reserve" of modernism and functionalism. The city was designed from scratch, and its development is clearly divided into two phases: a temporary military camp by the runway and a modern municipality built according to a master plan.

Architectural Eras and Styles

Gander's buildings reflect the optimism of the post-war era and faith in technical progress. The main styles forming the city are:

• Utilitarian Militarism (1930s–1940s):

  The first structures were purely functional: hangars, barracks, and administrative buildings located right next to the airfield. Few objects from that era have survived to this day, such as the historic hangars, which are distinguished by massive structures and simplicity of form.

• International Style and Modernism (1950s–1960s):

  The golden age of Gander's architecture. When the residential zone was moved away from the noise of turbines in the 1950s, a "garden city" plan was implemented with curvilinear streets and green zones. The crown jewel of this style is the international terminal building.

• Standard Residential Development (Mid-Century Modern):

  The city's residential quarters are built up with single-story bungalows and two-story houses classic for 1950s North America. This is neat, geometrically precise architecture that creates a cozy suburban atmosphere.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

For connoisseurs of architecture and history, Gander offers several key locations:

• Gander International Airport Terminal (1959)
  The city's most famous building and an icon of Canadian modernism. The terminal is often called "the most beautiful room in Canada". Original "Jet Set" era interiors have been preserved inside: terrazzo floors, geometric furniture (including Eames and Jacobsen chairs), and avant-garde murals. It is a living museum of 1950s design.
• "New Town" District (Townsite)
  A residential array designed in the 1950s. It is interesting for its layout: streets here are named after famous aviators (Alcock, Brown, Lindbergh, Earhart), and the placement of houses is thought out to create safe and quiet courtyards, which was innovative for that time.
• St. Joseph's Church
  An example of church architecture from the second half of the 20th century, moving away from traditional canons towards more concise and modern forms characteristic of a young city.

Aviation Pioneers and Historical Figures

The history of Gander is inextricably linked with the people who forged air routes and built the city in the harsh conditions of Newfoundland.

• Douglas Fraser — Pioneer Pilot.
  He wrote his name in history by making the first official landing at Gander Airport on January 11, 1938, in a Fox Moth biplane. This event marked the actual beginning of the air harbour's operations, which subsequently became the "Crossroads of the World".
• Sir Frederick Banting — Scientist, Nobel Laureate.
  The world-renowned co-discoverer of insulin tragically died in a plane crash near Gander in 1941 during a military medical mission. His connection to the city is immortalized in the name of a memorial municipal park and a lake; he remains an important figure in local historical memory.
• James Paton — Civic Leader.
  One of the key civilian leaders during the city's establishment as a municipality. He played an important role in the development of social infrastructure. The region's main medical centre — James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre — is named in honour of his services.

Modern Heroes and Heritage Keepers

The events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent success of the musical "Come From Away" revealed to the world the names of ordinary Gander residents who displayed exceptional humanity.

• Claude Elliott — Mayor of the City (1996–2017).
  He led the city during Operation Yellow Ribbon, when Gander's population nearly doubled due to stranded passengers. He became the face of Gander's hospitality and one of the main prototypes in the famous Broadway musical.
• Frank Tibbo — Aviation Historian and Author.
  A local resident who dedicated his life to documenting the unique history of the airport and the city. Author of numerous books ensuring that the details of the "Golden Age" of aviation in Gander were not forgotten.
• Oswald "Oz" Fudge — Police Constable.
  A local police officer whose kindness and professionalism during the crisis days of 2001 made him a local legend. His image was also immortalized in art, symbolizing the calm and reliability of the city's residents.
• Beverley Bass — Civil Aviation Pilot.
  The first female captain for American Airlines. Although she is not a resident of the city, her destiny became closely intertwined with Gander after an emergency landing on September 11. Her story of friendship with local residents became a symbol of the city's connection with the outside world.