Maple Tree Square sits at one of the most photographed, and most historic, intersections in Vancouver where Water, Powell, Alexander, and Carrall streets meet.
It dates back to the time when Vancouver was called Granville Townsite, and when John “Gassy Jack” Deighton opened the area’s first saloon in 1867. Deighton had paddled over from New Westminster and and told mill workers that they could have all the whiskey they could drink if they helped him build a saloon. Within 24 hours “The Globe” was up and running.
1880 . “Gassy Jack’s Tree”. Photograph attributed to Joseph Davis. Archives# Dist P11.1.
An early Maple Tree Square timeline via Heart of the City:
January 1886, as the New Year began, maple trees, towering cedars, skunk cabbage and swamp surround Granville Townsite; salmon entered the streams of False Creek. Residents assemble on the shell midden under Gastown’s old maple tree for town meetings and performances. Most of the sawmill workers and longshoremen are Native, Metis, Hawaiian; the rest come from the four corners of the globe. Chinook is as common as English.
April 1886, newly arrived immigrant workers hold a strike at Hastings Mill for a 10-hour workday: Burrard Inlet’s first official labour dispute. Mill manager Alexander holds a conciliation committee meeting under the Maple Tree.
June 1886, the new police chief tears out the benches around Maple Tree Square to discourage loitering.
The area quickly became the new city’s centre of trade and commerce, and drinking. Over the next 40 years, 300 bars popped up within a 12 block radius.
1886. Maple Tree Square. Archives# Str P83.
Maple Tree Square today features a statue of Gassy Jack, after whom the Gastown area was named; the Hotel Europe, which was built in 1909; the old Alahambra Hotel (Byrnes Block) building, built in 1887; along with offices, shops, services, and restaurants.
1907. Looking north on Carrall, toward Water. Photographer: Philip Timms. Archives# CVA 677-577.
Modern day
Google Street View image of Maple Tree Square, with the Bynes Block on the left.
The Alhambra Hotel is part of the Byrnes Block, one of the oldest buildings in Vancouver that it still standing today. Many other structures from the early years around Maple Tree Square went up in flames during the Great Vancouver Fire of 1886.
Gastown has been through many changes over the years, including a restoration in the 1970s to pull it back from retrofits and renovations that suited the disco era. Among the changes, to preserve its distinctive and historic architecture, cobblestone streets replaced paved asphalt, and Maple Tree Square was assembled brick by brick to create a small plaza. A Steam Clock was also installed just up the street.
1968. Before reconstruction began. Archives item# CVA 780-690.
1972. Constructing the Maple Tree Square plaza in Gastown. Archives# CVA 780-726.
There was a push to have Gastown declared a historic site in 1971 but it wasn’t actually officially designated as a National Historic Site until 2009.
Today, you can enjoy a pint on the patio at Six Acres or Chill Winston, or enjoy an award-winning meal at L’Abattoir, as you look out at this historic meeting place, where the City of Vancouver began.
For more history about the area, check out Forbidden Vancouver’s Lost Souls of Gastown walking tour. The vintage photos in this post are all sourced from the City of Vancouver Archives.
When it comes to romantic pairings it doesn’t get much better than wine and chocolate, and if you’re looking to indulge in some sweets with your sweetie, Township 7 Vineyards & Winery in Langley has an event just for you.
Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate
Enjoy an afternoon of local, handcrafted chocolates and award-winning wines at Township 7’s 10th annual Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate event. Bring a loved one or treat yourself to a guided pairing of four decadent White Rock Chocolates alongside Township 7’s wines in their tasting room.
Where: Township 7 Vineyards & Winery (21152 16th Ave, Langley)
Dates: Saturday, February 13 & Sunday, February 14, 2016
Tasting Times: 11:30-1:00pm; 1:30pm-3:00pm; 3:30pm-5:00pm
Tickets: $15 plus tax. Purchase by calling (604) 532-1766
Township 7 is known for its local events, benefits for wine club members, local tasting room and picnic area among the vines. You can also find great gift ideas in the shop. Follow the winery on Twitter or Facebook for more information about this event and more throughout the year.
Snowshoeing is so hot right now! Explore forest trails on a snowy mountain-top on your own or sign up for a guided snowshoe tour at Mount Seymour this season. Tours offered include Legends and Lanterns, Discovery, Baby & Me, SnowFit, Winter Skills, and private guided tours. One more popular tour, featuring Chocolate Fondue, is offered until March as well as on Valentine’s weekend.
Mount Seymour Snowshoe Chocolate Fondue Tour
Enjoy the enchantment of a Saturday evening snowshoe tour as you explore the magic of winter under the night sky. This guided experience will lead you through rolling evergreen-flanked trails to a hand-carved snow lounge where you will indulge in a delicious chocolate fondue featuring fresh-cut fruit and special dipping treats. Your guide will share fun facts and stories about chocolate and the fondue tradition while you dip your way into cocoa bliss.
Snowshoe Chocolate Fondue tours are scheduled alternating Saturdays: January 23rd, February 6th, February 20th, March 5th, and March 19th.
All tours are 2.5 hours long and start at 7:00pm. Bring your own headlamp if you have one, a limited number will also be provided. Tour packages include a guide, rental and trail pass, chocolate fondue and fresh fruit for dipping, and hot apple cider.
There is a special Valentine’s Fondue on Saturday, February 13th as well. Book online (for participants ages 13+) or call (604) 986-2261 extension 201.
Enter to Win
I have two spots to give away for an upcoming Snowshoe Chocolate Fondue tour. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Mount Seymour on Facebook and Twitter for more information. The winner will be able their preferred date from the scheduled options available. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.
Update The winner is Karina!
It’s never too early to think about how you can send a thoughtful, sweet, and funny message to a special someone in your life. A Loving Spoonful CandyGrams are now available to purchase for Valentine’s Day, with proceeds going directly to assisting those with HIV/AIDS.
A Loving Spoonful CandyGrams
CandyGrams include a special-edition Valentine’s Day card, a message of your choice, two delicious Purdy’s heart-shaped chocolates, a complimentary McDonald’s Big Mac coupon (a vegetarian option is also available), a Yelp keychain, two bags of Your Tea, and postage. They go on sale for $10 on January 20th.
Each year, A Loving Spoonful’s volunteers deliver over 100,000 meals to those in need, and with very little government funding, they rely on the generosity of the community.
While A Loving Spoonful is based in Vancouver, you can send your CandyGrams anywhere in Canada. For on-time delivery (via Canada Post) by or before Valentine’s Day, orders must be placed on or before February 2nd for Eastern Canada, on or before February 3rd for Western Canada, and on or before February 8th for Metro Vancouver.
A Loving Spoonful is a volunteer-driven, non-partisan society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in Greater Vancouver. Follow A Loving Spoonful on Facebook and Twitter (tag: #candygram) for more information.
Vancouver’s largest ski and snowboard charity fundraiser is back! Monday night fundraisers return January 25th and for a minimum donation of $10, women can Shred for the Cause at Mount Seymour.
Shred for the Cause
For the 2016 season, women can ski or snowboard from 6:00pm to 10:00pm every Monday at Mount Seymour for a minimum donation of $10, with $5 from every lift ticket going to The Bloom Group. Guests can donate more if they wish, with extra donations also supporting The Bloom Group’s women’s shelters. Men are still welcome to enjoy some evening skiing. Lift tickets for men from 6:00pm to 10:00pm are $31.
Mount Seymour’s previous 8 seasons of “Shred for the Cure” raised $150,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation. With that great legacy, and looking forward, there are a few changes this year:
- This year the fundraiser will support a new beneficiary, Powell Place and Springhouse Women’s Shelters, managed by The Bloom Group, and adds a streamlined donation system.
- There are no vouchers given out at retail outlets. Guests can simply come up to Mount Seymour and pay at Guest Services.
The Bloom Group Community Services Society has provided some of the most progressive social services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for over 50 years. The organization supports the most vulnerable in our community through the provision of a range of housing, health and social services. The Bloom Group operates two emergency shelters: Powell Place and Springhouse. In 2014 The Bloom Group housed and served 177 women. One in three moved on to permanent housing or treatment services, breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse.
On Mondays, until the March 28th, guests can join the Women’s Park Jam hosted by Rip Curl in the Young Guns Terrain Park from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. There will be prizes from Rip Curl and music from DJ Marie Kosmik. After 9:00pm, you can apres in the Three Peak Lodge with weekly door prizes. Okanagan Springs Brewery will be giving away a pair of snowshoes and a snowboard – everyone that buys an Okanagan drink can enter to win.
Read more about Shred for the Cause and follow Mount Seymour on Facebook and Twitter. Miss604 is a proud Social Media Ambassador of Mount Seymour this season.
