Bay Roberts, Nfld, Town, pop 5237 (2001c), 5472 (1996c), 5474 (1991c), area 23.92 km2, inc 1951, is located on the west shore of CONCEPTION BAY. Established by the late 1600s by English fishermen, Bay Roberts is probably named for a French family name, Robert. The inshore fishery and later the Labrador fishery and seal hunt contributed to the growth of Bay Roberts as a leading fishing, trading and commercial settlement by the 1800s.
With CARBONEAR and HARBOUR GRACE, Bay Roberts became an important service, supply and communications centre with numerous wholesale companies and small-scale industries. It was the largest salt-fish producing centre in Newfoundland, supplying European, Brazilian and Caribbean markets. In the 1970s the original settlement expanded to include several nearby communities.