Gastown, Vancouver

Way back in the early days of Vancouver (I'm talking the late 1800's) before it was even Vancouver there was a mill on the shore of the Burrard Inlet. Aside from the mill there was not much else around and the owner of this mill didn't allow alcohol on the premises. I'm betting those mill workers did a little dance of sober joy when Jack Deighton turned up. Jack had no money and not much whiskey but told the millworkers if they built him a saloon ...
...One day later, just over the property line of the mill, the saloon opened...

Jack Deighton came with the nickname "Gassy Jack", fortunately not for reasons that spring to mind, but because he liked to chat rather a lot, and so from his name, though officially called Granville, "Gastown" was christened. Gassy Jack would no doubt be rather pleased to know that there is a big statue of him in Gastown today, watching ... more

Way back in the early days of Vancouver (I'm talking the late 1800's) before it was even Vancouver there was a mill on the shore of the Burrard Inlet. Aside from the mill there was not much else around and the owner of this mill didn't allow alcohol on the premises. I'm betting those mill workers did a little dance of sober joy when Jack Deighton turned up. Jack had no money and not much whiskey but told the millworkers if they built him a saloon he would open it up and serve them drinks. One day later, just over the property line of the mill, the saloon opened...

Jack Deighton came with the nickname "Gassy Jack", fortunately not for reasons that spring to mind, but because he liked to chat rather a lot, and so from his name, though officially called Granville, "Gastown" was christened. Gassy Jack would no doubt be rather pleased to know that there is a big statue of him in Gastown today, watching over things.

Gastown was not always a destination heavily featured in a Lonely Planet. In its early days the treasury of Gastown relied heavily on funds made from bar brawl fines and up to the 1950's the area was labeled a skid town.

Declared a heritage area in 1971 Gastown is now home to shops, restaurants, bars, nightlife all together under little gas lamp lit streets. The shops and restaurants vary, you have your standard Starbucks, and being Vancouver - a wide variety of other coffee shops, Sushi, Indian, Mexican.. Eyewear shops, Fashion stores, Furniture stores, Spas, Salons, Antiques.. Souvenir stores etc. When I mention souvenir stores, I do mean souvenir stores - there are quite a few, but in general there's a lot of stuff. Many of the stores are in refurbished or restored heritage buildings. When you are handing over your cash, stocking up on essential t-shirts that say "My mum went to Vancouver and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" remember the Tax. Tax is not included in the price, crazy really.

Gastown is also home to the Storyeum, a live theatrical history located under the streets. You descend in one of the world's largest passenger lifts for a guided tour through a series of seven sets watching stories from BC's past. This is for a hefty $28 (Canadian).

There are also a lot of Galleries based in Gastown. These galleries include Native Art, Jade and Artspeak - a not for profit centre run by artists.

23 Gastownion Buildings have Historic Plaques, you can follow the cobble-stoned streets on a route around to see them all. Look out for the Lamplighter Pub - the first establishment in Vancouver to serve alcohol to women. Remind me to go there and thank them.

Another alcoholic delight is the Steamworks Brewing Co. They serve hand-crafted ales and lagers brewed right on site, and also serve food.

An amusing touristy highlight of Gastown is the funny little steam clock. The Gastown Steam Clock was designed in 1875 and built in 1977and still steams away (sorry bad pun) today..as you are walking past it it occasionally shoots out steam. It was the worlds first steam powered clock which not only steams but chimes on the 1/4 hour. You might have to beat all the other tourists out of the way to get a picture though, its a popular stop on the photo route.

Not that most of Vancouver is somewhere you need to particularly worry about but just to be extra sure Gastown Business Improvement Society provide patrol officers. No doubt started from breaking up tourist photo spot brawls at the steam clock. The officers patrol the streets 7 days a week, just there to help out with directions or if there are any troubles.

When they aren't patrolling the streets the Gastown Business Improvement Society offers free summer walking tours. From June 15th to August 30th, 90-minute tours run daily at 2:00pm. I haven't done one of these yet (because its not summer yet!). Specific contact information is on the Gastown website (listed below).

Gastown also hosts a yearly bike race and a jazz festival, both in summer of course! The Tour De Gastown is held in July and attracts around 35,000 to Gastown. Don't do your souvenir shopping that day! It attracts some pretty famous riders, a past winner was Lance Armstrong. The Jazz festival is held over two days in June. Further information on both is available on the Gastown website.

Gastown is close to the main area of downtown. Its found to the west of Canada Place, five minutes from the Cruise Ship Terminal. To the east where Gastown and Chinatown meet is the Sun Yat Sen Gardens. Gastown is easily accessible by the SkyTrain, SeaBus and local buses. Its on every tourist map - you cant miss it!

More info and specific shop listings are at http://gastown.org/. On the Gastown website you can also send an e-card and check the weather (rain predicted..)

In the end its just really a collection of shops and restaurants cutely contained together, a nice place to wander and eat and if you resist the stores and all that food its free! Oh yea, and its Vancouver - take an umbrella.
 

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