Attraction 6 / 22
Quick Info
Location
Area just east of downtown around Water Street, between Chinatown and the waterfront
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Gastown
History
The area was originally called Gassy's after the
saloon proprietor Gassy Jack Deighton. After being
rebuilt from the fire in 1886 the village was renamed
to Gastown.
Over time, the city grew more and more westward and changed its name to Vancouver, while Gastown became known as Old Vancouver. It became a run-down area until it was suggested to tear down the whole historic site.
Under the pressure of the local community to preserve
Gastown, it was designated a historic area by the provincial
government in February 1971, and the old buildings were
saved from the wrecker.
Over time, the city grew more and more westward and changed its name to Vancouver, while Gastown became known as Old Vancouver. It became a run-down area until it was suggested to tear down the whole historic site.
Statue of Gassy Jack
Attractions
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 venders.
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.
Steam-powered Clock
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.
600
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