Exploring the History of Roe Avenue in Gander: A Street Through Time

Roe Avenue is a residential street in Gander, Newfoundland, whose development parallels the town’s mid‑20th-century aviation boom. This guide helps you conduct a self‑guided historical walk, document architectural clues, and interpret local records to uncover how the avenue evolved from wartime construction to modern suburb.

Use Cases

• Local history buffs – trace street‑level change using building styles, setbacks, and street furniture.
• Genealogists – confirm family addresses and understand neighbourhood context from municipal directories.
• Urban planning students – study pattern‑book housing, lot sizes, and the influence of the airport on street layout.
• Teachers & tour guides – design a walkable lesson about Gander’s post‑war expansion.

Preparation Checklist

• Modern street map of Gander (paper or offline) – note that cellular coverage may be patchy near the airport periphery.
• Digital camera or smartphone – capture house numbers, porches, and original windows.
• Notebook and pen – record house styles, materials, and any visible date stones or plaques.
• Copy of a historical fire‑insurance map or 1950s/1960s aerial photo of the Gander townsite (available from the provincial archives or local library).
• Comfortable walking shoes and weather‑appropriate clothing (coastal winds can shift quickly).
• List of known past addresses from electoral rolls or city directories (try the Gander Heritage Society).

Step‑by‑Step Workflow

1. Action: Start at the southern intersection of Roe Avenue with Airport Boulevard.
   Decision criterion: Look for a street sign that reads “Roe Ave” – if the sign is missing or faded, use the intersection of Elizabeth Drive as your alternate starting point.
2. Action: Walk north slowly, photographing every third house on both sides. Note roof pitch, cladding (vinyl, wood shingle, or original asphalt shingle), and porch depth.
   Decision criterion: If you find a house with a side‑gable roof and wooden double‑hung windows, flag it as likely pre‑1955 – otherwise, note it as a later infill.
3. Action: At the midpoint near Roe Avenue’s curve, pause to compare the lot widths. Measure a few driveways in paces (roughly 2–3 metres per pace).
   Decision criterion: If lot widths exceed 15 paces, the block was likely subdivided before town‑planning standardisation in the 1970s; narrower lots indicate later densification.
4. Action: Count how many original one‑storey “wartime cottage” forms remain versus two‑storey or split‑level renovations.
   Decision criterion: If more than half the street is two‑storey, the area saw a renovation wave in the 1980s; if mostly one‑storey, it retains a stronger mid‑century character.
5. Action: End at the northern dead‑end near the wooded buffer. Check for any remaining concrete gate posts or depressions that might mark an old access lane to the airport apron.
   Decision criterion: If you find a concrete post with a rounded top, it could be a remnant of the 1940s perimeter fence – flag the location with GPS coordinates.

Quality Checks

• Cross‑reference your walk notes with a 1965 aerial photo (available from the National Air Photo Library or local museum). Do the roof lines and street alignments match?
• Confirm house numbers using a modern map or Google Earth Street View date slider – discrepancies often reveal demolitions or re‑numbering.
• Ask one resident who has lived on the street for more than 20 years about any major renovations or additions – anecdotal evidence can fill gaps in public records.
• Double‑check foundation types: original concrete block vs. poured concrete can correlate with construction decade.

Cautions

• Respect private property – photograph only from the public sidewalk or roadway; do not enter driveways or gardens.
• Watch for uneven pavement and low‑hanging branches, especially near the northern dead end where maintenance may be seasonal.
• Do not rely on unverified online forums for historical claims – always confirm with municipal records or the Gander Heritage Society.
• Beware of painted house numbers that have been changed; verify addresses against current city directory data.
• If you encounter a resident who seems uncomfortable, politely explain your purpose and offer to share your findings afterward – never argue or insist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Roe Avenue named after?

The street likely honours a local or military figure connected to Gander’s early air base development, possibly an RAF or RCAF officer. The exact namesake is not documented in common published sources, so check with the Town of Gander’s civic naming records.

What style of houses dominates the street?

Mid‑20th‑century pattern‑book bungalows and split‑level homes, many originally clad in wood shingle or asphalt siding. A few later infills use vinyl siding, but the general height and setback remain consistent.

Can I access historical building permits for individual houses?

Yes – building permits from the 1940s onward are held by the Town of Gander’s planning department. Fees may apply for copies, and older permits are often stored off‑site, so expect a turnaround of several weeks.

Is there a guided tour available?

The Gander Heritage Society occasionally offers walking tours of historic neighbourhoods, including Roe Avenue. Check their seasonal schedule or request a self‑guided pamphlet at the town library.