Gastown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gastown
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Neighbourhood
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View of Gastown from Maple Tree Square
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 Gastown
Location in Greater Vancouver Regional District
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| City | Vancouver |
Gastown is a historic neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was the very first settlement that grew into the city of Vancouver. Today, it is known as a National Historic Site and is located in the northwest part of the Downtown Eastside, right next to Downtown Vancouver.
The original area of Gastown was bordered by the waterfront (now Water Street and the CPR tracks), Carrall Street, Hastings Street, and Cambie Street. This was the layout of the town in 1870, which was officially called Granville, B.I. (meaning "Burrard Inlet").
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History of Gastown
Gastown was Vancouver's first neighbourhood. It got its name from "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a sailor from Yorkshire. He arrived in 1867 and opened the area's first saloon. Jack was known for talking a lot, or "gassing," so the area around his saloon became known as "Gassy's town." This nickname later changed to "Gastown."
The town quickly grew because of the Hastings Mill sawmill and its seaport. It became a busy place for trade and business on Burrard Inlet. It was also a popular spot for loggers and fishermen when they weren't working. Many sailing ships came to Gastown to load logs and timber. In 1886, the Canadian Pacific Railway ended its line here, making the area a hub for warehouses.
The Great Vancouver Fire
In 1886, Gastown became part of the newly formed City of Vancouver. However, that same year, the Great Vancouver Fire destroyed almost all of its buildings. Only two buildings survived. Despite this, the area was quickly rebuilt and continued to grow. Hastings and Main streets became the main centre of town. The waterfront was important for ferries and steamships. Many large stores and businesses were located here, like the Hudson's Bay Company warehouse.
After the Great Depression in the 1930s, Gastown became less important and started to decline. It was largely forgotten as the city grew around it.
Saving Gastown's Heritage
In the 1960s, people became worried about Gastown's unique and old buildings. There were plans to tear them down to build a big highway into downtown Vancouver. But many citizens, business owners, and activists worked together to save Gastown.
A Dutch immigrant named Henk F. Vanderhorst opened an art gallery called 'Exposition Gallery' on Water Street. This helped bring new businesses to Gastown. His efforts, and those of others, helped convince the government to declare Gastown a historic site. This protected its old buildings, which are still standing today. In 2009, Gastown was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada.
Gastown Today
Today, Gastown is a lively mix of old and new. You can find trendy fashion shops, unique home furnishing stores, and many restaurants and nightclubs. There are also businesses for tourists, especially along Water Street.
Gastown is also home to many professional offices, like law firms and architect studios. It has become a popular place for technology and new media companies. Businesses like Zaui Software and Idea Rebel have chosen Gastown as their base.
Popular Events in Gastown
Gastown's cobblestone streets are often used for fun annual events. These include the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, where you can enjoy live music. Another popular event is the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, which is an international bicycle race.
Gastown Steam Clock
Gastown's most famous landmark is its steam-powered clock. It is located at the corner of Cambie and Water Street. The clock was built in 1977. Its main purpose was to cover a steam vent from Vancouver's heating system. It also helped prevent people from sleeping on the warm grate in cold weather.
The clock uses steam from a city-wide heating system to power a small steam engine inside its base. This engine moves steel balls up a chain. The weight of these balls then powers the clock's hands. The steam also makes the clock's sounds. Instead of bells, it uses whistles to play the Westminster "chime" and tell the time.
Even though it looks old, the steam clock is a modern invention. It has become a major tourist attraction in Gastown. In 2014, the clock was taken away for big repairs and was put back in January 2015.
Images for kids
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Gastown in July 2012
See also
In Spanish: Gastown para niños
