Fairbanks

The first settler to come to Fairbanks was Mr.William Gidge who came from Durrels Arm ,a community located on Twillingate Island. Many of the early settlers went to the Labrador Fishery which was the main source of income for most families. There was approximately three schooners in Fairbanks at one time and they were owned by Ashbournes Limited which was a local company. When not fishing or doing their daily chores there were various types of recreational activities in which the residents could participate, the most popular being skating and dancing. The earliest dances were held in certain houses or in the Orange Lodge. Although we do not know the exact date on which the first school was built we do know that the first teacher was a lady by the name of Miss Jeans. The first store was built in Fairbanks in 1908 and was owned by Mr. William Gidge. The road was constructed to Fairbanks in 1953 and electricity was introduced in 1966. We are not sure when the first post-office was built but we know that the first post-mistress was Rowena Jenkins. Fairbanks has never been a large community; it's present day population is approximately 300.

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