Gassy Jack, Gastown

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Gassy Jack's legend is a popular tale in Gastown, appropriate since the 'Gassy' in John Deighton's name referred to the many story he regaled to his saloon customers on a nightly basis.

The Statue of John "Gassy Jack" Deighton sits in a shaded area shadowed by a large maple tree. It is here, under the ancestor of the Maple tree that stands there today is where the City of Vancouver was conceived, on a barrel of Whiskey and a brave man who knew how to be enterprising. This curious yet interesting tale brings people to the very site that began the city that surrounds them

The statue that stands on this site is modelled after the founding father of Vancouver, Capitan John "Gassy Jack" Deighton (referring to his long winded conversational skills not any other dubious talent).

This green hued statue depicts the place where the city was founded under a tree over a century ago.

The story of Gassy Jack began when Capitan John Deighton, realized the potential of opening a bar in the region for the loggers in the area when the bar he owned in New Westminster began to suffer at the end of the Gold Rush. Legend has it, John Deighton sailed down the Fraser river in a small boat loaded with necessities and a large barrel of Whiskey and landed in current day Gastown, a district now named after him as a tribute. Within twenty-four hours his bar, the Globe Saloon was built and he was offering the same Whiskey he had sailed down the river with. A small settlement followed which later became the City of Vancouver.

This statue, along with its plaque depicts the story of this historic region while as well paying tribute to the man who sailed the Fraser River with a large barrel of Whiskey and continues to be a favourite stop for many tourists interested in the colourful account of the establishment of Vancouver.