[5] Gibson was originally proposed in about 1910 as a siding on the Esperance branch railway due to a reliable water source in the area, named by surveyor A. W. Canning after a man who discovered the soak whilst searching for stock.

In 2009, a 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) long crossing called by this name but located slightly away from the town was built.

[8] Esperance Bird & Animal Park is a small animal park located at Gibson[9] and includes: cockatoos, parrots, macaws, eagles, emus, sheep, goats, highland cattle, horses, llamas, kangaroos, wallabies and foxes.

Helms Arboretum Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot and popular wedding venue, was severely damaged by fire in December 2024.

The arboretum, home to more than 120 species of planted trees, has a size of 8 square kilometres (3.1 sq mi).