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MAPPING EARLY VANCOUVER
In 1867, I, John "Gassy Jack" Deighton, set out to provide what every growing town required: alcohol. With a barrel of whiskey and a lot of fast talk it took me only 24 hours to get my saloon built, and it opened the same day. The Deighton House was born and with it Gastown. Gastown was a rowdy place with frequent brawls. In 1870, Gastown was incorporated as Granville Townsite but even today the area is referred to as Gastown, quite a tribute to "Gassy Jack"! My statue still stands in Gastown as a reminder of the city's humble roots.
On June 13, 1886, most of Vancouver was destroyed by a forest fire. This could have been the end of the city but Vancouver used the catastrophe to its own ends. With the removal of the ramshackle dwellings, which were typical of the old town, the citizens of Vancouver went to work building a well organized and attractive city. Many of the old wooden buildings were replaced with brick and stone. At this point the story of Granville ends and Vancouver truly begins. (Vogel and Wyse, 1993)
To explore more of Old Vancouver click on a place name listed below.
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