Vancouver's Gastown designated national historic site
VANCOUVER — The city's first neighbourhood has been designated as a national historic site of Canada, the federal government announced Tuesday.
Jim Prentice, the federal Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, made the decision on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. he said in a press release.
"The designation of Vancouver's Gastown recognizes the role of this special place in shaping the economy and development of western Canada," said Prentice in the release.
"The remarkable collection of architecturally significant buildings is an exceptional and early example of an urban historic district created by civic involvement in the heritage conservation movement."
Gastown Historic District is an intact urban area of business and commercial buildings dating largely from 1886 to 1914, the release said.
Stockwell Day, the Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Regional Minister for B.C., said: "The buildings in Gastown Historic District are handsome, strikingly harmonious in their materials, scale and architectural detailing, collectively splendid examples of Victorian and Edwardian commercial architecture."
He added: "I am delighted to know that, through this designation, future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy them as part of Vancouver's urban landscape and an integral part of the city's vibrant tourism industry."
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson was quoted in the release as saying: "Gastown is the birthplace of Vancouver, and our citizens have been instrumental in ensuring that it could be preserved for future generations to enjoy. It's gratifying to see that all of the work put in to revitalization and preservation measures is now being recognized nationally with this designation."
In 1867, Captain John "Gassy Jack" Deighton persuaded some mill workers to build him a saloon on the south side of Burrard Inlet.
From such modest beginnings, "Gastown", as it came to be known, grew into the city of Vancouver, the release said.
