In addition to Chandler itself, the town's territory also includes the communities of Newport, Grand-Pabos-Ouest, Pabos, Pabos Mills, and Saint-François-de-Pabos.
The area was first settled in 1729, making it one of the oldest places on the Gaspé coast. It was known over time as Paboc, Pabo, Pabok, Pabeau, and Pas-bos. In 1815, the final spelling of Pabos was assigned in the Description topographique de la province du Bas Canada (Topographical Description of the Province of Lower Canada). The meaning of this name is uncertain, although there are various theories: from the Mi'kmaq word papôg (meaning "playful waters");[4] a Basque name; from the Spanishpavo; a place in France, home of the first seignoral lord; or from the French words pas[sage] beau (meaning "beautiful passage").[5]
In 1758, the settlement was destroyed by General James Wolfe during his Gulf of St. Lawrence Campaign. It was rebuilt and by 1860, the Parish of Sainte-Adélaïde-de-Pabos was formed. In 1876, it had become the most important civil and religious town in the Gaspésie region, and the place was incorporated as the Municipality of Pabos. 3 years later, its post office opened.[5]
Dismantling of the Gaspésia Pulp and Paper Mill in 2012.
In 1912, Percy Milton Chandler, a Philadelphian manufacturer, built the first pulp and paper mill in the Gaspésie at the mouth of the Grand Pabos River, originally known as Portage-du-Grand-Pabos. By 1916, this village separated from Pabos and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Chandler. The name Grand-Pabos was also used and in the 1930s, it was even tried to officially rename the village to Grand-Pabos. In 1958, Chandler gained ville (city) status.[1]
On June 27, 2001, the municipalities of Newport, Pabos, Pabos Mills, and Saint-François-de-Pabos, as well as the City of Chandler, were merged to form the new City of Pabos, renamed to Chandler on May 4, 2002.[1]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Chandler had a population of 7,490 living in 3,572 of its 3,794 total private dwellings, a change of -0.7% from its 2016 population of 7,546. With a land area of 418.45 km2 (161.56 sq mi), it had a population density of 17.9/km2 (46.4/sq mi) in 2021.[7]
^ abcd"Chandler (Ville)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
^ ab"Chandler". Répertoire des municipalités (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-12-08.
Canada
Quebec
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R-132
