Vancouver City Tours

Vancouver Tourism - Gastown - Tourism Vancouver

Gastown

Gastown is the area where Vancouver was founded in 1867. It is now situated east of the main downtown area, near Chinatown. It was originally called Gassy's after its founder 'Gassy' Jack Deighton. After being rebuilt from a fire in 1886 the village was renamed to Gastown.

Over time, the city grew more and changed its name to Vancouver and Gastown became known as Old Vancouver. At one point it was so run down that it had to be fully restored and designated a historic area by the provincial government in February 1971.

Today, the renovated Gastown, with its cobbled streets and restored Victorian buildings, is a pleasant place for strolling, shopping or dining. It also contains some nice malls together with a lot of souvenir shops and street vendors.

The main tourist attractions in Gastown are the unique steam clock and the statue of 'Gassy Jack' Deighton. The Gastown Steam Clock was the world's first steam clock and was originally built to cover a steam vent. The 2 ton weighing oddly looking clock whistles every 15 minutes. Gastown is still a bustiling section of Vancouver with many shop and several businesses.

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Contact Robert Maley at stanleypark@shaw.ca for information on this site.