South Branch: As one drives north from the southern coast of the valley to the north, one is struck by the beauty of the area. There are several small towns, including South Branch, Coal Brook, and North Branch that dot the countryside before the road turns westward towards the coast.

According to Janes (2002) the community of South Branch had its beginning around 1895-8 when the railroad was built. One would assume the town got its name from the fact that it was on the South Branch of the Grand Codroy River, it is located where the North and South Branches of the river meet.

The first settler was Dick Well, the Section Foreman for the Newfoundland Northern and Western Railway; other earlier settlers, all with Anglophone names included Sylvester White, Peter Muise, Joseph (Silver) O'Quinn, and Dan McIsaac.

It is probably safe to assume that North Branch, to the north and also on the railway was given its name in a similar manner and be established about the same time.

South and North Branch should not be confused with the town of Branch that is on the Avalon Peninsula.

Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin of 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill

Address of this page: http://nl.ruralroutes.com/SouthBranchNL