Formerly known as Shoal Bay, Dover is located in a small cove at the head of Freshwater Bay, Bonavista Bay.  This area was settled in the early 1890s by people from the headland and island communities of Bonavista Bay who were drawn to the north shore by its the fishing and lumbering potential.

 

John Collins was born in Dover in 1896, and became commonly known as Jack or Uncle Jack.  In the late 1940s he built a fishing shed on the beach near his home.  Uncle Jack is remembered for enjoying the presence of his neices and newphews while he mended his nets and tended to his gear in his stage, and for keeping it clean and orderly.  He fished until 1975.

 

Uncle Jack Collins's Stage remains in the Collins family.  In 2007 his relatives sought to repair the building rather than demolish it, and received support from the Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program for this effort.  The work included repairs to the foundation, replacing a back door and part of the roof, and rebuilding a wall.

 

"It was an enjoyable project," says Uncle Jack's neice.  "I can understand why my uncle loved to work in the shed.  You are close to the ocean and can see and hear the waves on the beach.  This area of the beach gives you a view of a large part of town."