GASTOWN, Vancouver

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER-
GASTOWN
Gastown Vancouver was the first downtown core and is named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a British settler who arrived in 1867 to open the area's first saloon. The town soon prospered as the site became home to a sawmill, a seaport, and general trade and commerce.

In 1886 Gastown was incorporated as the City of Vancouver. It fell victim to the "Great Vancouver Fire" that same year, losing all but two of its buildings. Vancouver was completely rebuilt and continued to thrive until the Great Depression in the 1920's after which Gastown, now just a neighbourhood of the larger city, fell into decline and disrepair until the 1960's. Citizens concerned with preserving Gastown's distinctive and historic architecture convinced the provincial government to declare the area a historical site in 1971, protecting its heritage buildings to this day.

Gastown is a mix of tourist oriented business which are generally restricted to Water Street, restaurants, nightclubs, and Gastown shopping. The Waterhouse Studio is today located in the renovated brick building that once housed Vancouver's City Hall on Powell Street. It's "Home Base" to Vancouver's most favourite son, Bryan Adams. He's not the only famous musician who has recorded there. Avril Lavigne, R.E.M, Sarah McLachlan and David Foster are just to name a few.

Gastown's most famous landmark is its steam powered clock, located on the corner of Cambie Street and Water Street. Long powered by electricity after its previous breakdown the steam mechanism has been completely restored with the financial support of local businesses. The steam used is low pressure district heating steam that powers a miniature steam engine in its base, in turn driving a chain lift. The chain lift moves steel balls upward, where they are unloaded and roll to a descending chain. The weight of the balls on the descending chain drives a conventional pendulum clock escapement, geared to the hands on the four faces. The steam also powers the clock's sound production as whistles are used instead of bells to produce the Westminster 'Chime' and to signal the time.

Gastown retains some of the vestiges of its 1970s role as 'Haight-Ashbury North'. Coffee houses, head shops, thrift stores, and cafes such as The Amsterdam and the Cannabis Cafe can be found here, along with the upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants.

Popular annual events that take place on the cobblestone streets of Gastown include the Vancouver International Jazz festival and the Tour de Gastown international bicycle race.