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Local tradition maintains that it was initially changed to "Wellington" to avoid confusion with other Newfoundland communities also called Shoal Bay. An unpublished paper on the history of the community states that the name of Dover was added to avoid further confusion after Confederation, when a new postal service was offered with the stipulation that the name of the town be changed again, this time to avoid confusing the mail with that of Wellington in the other provinces of Canada. A general meeting was held and list of names including the very popular Port Charles was decided upon. From the submitted names the authorities chose Dover. The double name Wellington (Dover), by which name the community was officially called was also confusing, and in 1973, in a ceremony conducted by the Lieutenant Governor, the name was officially declared Dover in conjunction with the name change.

We are proud of our residents who make our town the great place it is to live. Your next door neighbors are not just your neighbors, they are your friends.

Our people who are our greatest resources are committed to the betterment and development of our town which is why we welcome you from all across our great nation, Canada, and the world, with enthusiasm and friendliness.

DOVER WINS 2012

TIDY TOWNS AWARDS

Dover is located 70 km east of Gander, turn off at Gambo intersection. Dover is located in a small cove at the head of freshwater bay, Bonavista Bay, northeast of Gambo.

An incorporated fishing and lumbering community, Dover's former name was Shoal Bay (probably derived from the numerous shoals common in the harbours and cove of the north shore of Bonavista Bay). From the 1950's to 1970 Shoal Bay was referred to as "Wellington" although it was locally referred to as Dover.