Maple Tree Square, Vancouver

Maple Tree Square, Vancouver

In the heart of Vancouver lies a captivating historical site known as Maple Tree Square, situated at the convergence of Water, Powell, Alexander, and Carrall streets. This intersection has garnered fame as one of the city's most photographed and cherished locations. Its origins trace back to the early days of Vancouver when it was a fledgling settlement named Granville.

The square gained notoriety through its association with the inaugural bar in the vicinity. In 1867, John Deighton, affectionately nicknamed "Gassy Jack" due to his loquacious demeanor and talent for spinning tales, heeded the request of his close friend Captain Edward Stamp, the proprietor of the Hastings Mill. At Stamp's urging, Deighton established the first bar on the southern shores of Burrard Inlet.

The story goes that Gassy Jack, hailing from Hull in England, embarked on a journey from New Westminster, offering mill workers an enticing proposition. He promised them an unlimited supply of whiskey in exchange for their assistance in constructing a saloon. Astonishingly, within a mere day, the establishment affectionately referred to as a "watering hole" was up and operational, eventually christened the Globe Saloon by its proud owner.

Drawing a crowd that encompassed sailors and laborers from the nearby sawmill, the Globe Saloon swiftly became a hub of local commerce and social activity, in addition to its reputation for libations. Over the subsequent forty years, nearly 300 bars sprouted within a compact twelve-block radius, signifying the immense impact of this epicenter on the community's vitality.

Although the iconic bar eventually succumbed to demolition when Granville transitioned into a townsite, the appellation endured. The surrounding region now bears the name Gastown, a tribute to Gassy Jack's legacy.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vancouver. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Maple Tree Square on Map

Sight Name: Maple Tree Square
Sight Location: Vancouver, Canada (See walking tours in Vancouver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vancouver, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Vancouver

Create Your Own Walk in Vancouver

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vancouver is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour

Vancouver Chinatown Walking Tour

Vancouver's Chinatown is the second-largest Chinese-centered area in North America. As such, it has long attracted hordes of tourists with its expressive culture, inexpensive but delicious food, and fabulous traditional architecture.

The very first landmark that welcomes visitors entering Chinatown is the grand, ornate structure called the Millennium Gate. With its intricate architectural...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour

Vancouver Yaletown Walking Tour

For many years, Yaletown was the thriving industrial heart of Vancouver. Today, this historic neighborhood looks unlike any other part of the city and is considered to be the home of Vancouver's "elite" society.

The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a prominent landmark here, serving as a hub for art exhibitions and recreational activities. Its historic...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Vancouver Introduction Walking Tour

Vancouver Introduction Walking Tour

A bustling seaport on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is among the country's densest and most ethnically diverse cities. It is also one of British Columbia's youngest cities. Prior to the Europeans, the Vancouver area had been inhabited – for almost 10,000 years – by Aboriginal tribes: Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard). The explorer Simon Fraser and his crew were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Granville Island Walking Tour

Granville Island Walking Tour

Successfully transformed, back in the 1970s, from an industrial wasteland into one of the most beloved public spaces in Vancouver, Granville Island is now viewed as a premier artistic and cultural hub famous for its balance of functionality and flare. It is equally popular as a shopping destination, too, with a plethora of other attractions like art galleries, markets, and a brewery to boot....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Gastown Walking Tour

Gastown Walking Tour

To get the feel of authentic Vancouver, head for the Gastown district. This is where the city was born: an ex-sailor turned gold prospector built an inn here in the late 19th century and a small settlement, mostly of mill workers, dockhands and merchants, sprang up around it. Many of the streets in Gastown are still cobblestoned and you will find lovely examples of Victorian buildings that have...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Vancouver Downtown Walking Tour

Vancouver Downtown Walking Tour

Numerous historic and otherwise notable landmarks scattered throughout Downtown Vancouver make it a hot traveler's destination. Each such landmark is unique in itself and has a great deal of story to tell visitors, be it cultural history or simple amusement.

While in Downtown you can't miss the Vancouver Lookout. This observation deck lures you with its breathtaking scenery – the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

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