Category Archives: Vancouver History

A short history of Gastown: The birth of Vancouver, Canada

Posted on February 22, 2013 by

This is one of the earliest photos of Gastown, taken in 1886 in Maple Tree Square in the town of Granville (now called Vancouver). Locals called it Gastown because the first saloon was started by Jack Deighton, known as “Gassy … Continue reading →

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Early Gastown history: 1907 film of streetcar route through Vancouver, Canada (with four historical videos)

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

This great six-minute film shows the early days of Vancouver and Gastown — it is the earliest film footage of the city, whose population was only 27,000 in 1901. It was shot by Seattle filmmaker William Harbeck, who was hired … Continue reading →

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