Gastown

    Jack Deighton, known as "Gassy Jack" because of his tendency for overtalkativeness and story-telling, came to a saw mill, in what would eventually become Vancouver, in 1867. He opened a saloon for the loggers and fishermen here, which became so popular that the first permanent settlement was named after him; Gastown. Three years later, it was renamed Granville, Burrard's Inlet. This center of drinking life soon became the center for wholesale produce distribution, until the Great Depression of the 1930's. Once recovery from these hard times began to take hold, the area was largely forgotten and began to deteriorate. During the 1960's, a movement began to revitalize the area and it soon became one of the top tourist attractions in the city. While "Gassy Jack" might not recognize what his "Gastown" has developed into, we think he would be very happy with it.

Born in Hull, England, "Gassy Jack" Deighton had held numerous jobs ( sailor, prospector, steamship pilot) before opening his bar at the Hastings Mill on the south side of Burrard Inlet.

The area in which his saloon was located, to the left of this flat-iron building, became the first permanent settlement and was named "Gastown" in honor of Deighton.

Once, just a hang-out for loggers and fishermen...

...it eventually became a bustling neighborhood of restaurants, souvenir shops, and commercial buildings.

This statue of "Gassy Jack" reportedly is where his saloon was located.

He has been considered the founding father of Gastown, the first permanent settlement in the area.

While designed to look like a 19th-century antique, this steam clock in Gastown was actually built in 1977. Still, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the neighborhood.

Its glass sides allows you to see the inner workings.

Considered to be a relatively small neighborhood by today's standards, Gastown is still a delightful place to visit.