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.