#gastown steam clock

[sherrylephotography]

@sherrylephotography

May 19, 2022

Gastown Steam Clock

305 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9, Canada

This clock is powered by steam and whistles, built in 1977

[katblu42]

Day 10 - Vancouver

Officially today is the first day of an organised tour . . . so I had to change hotels (because this one is included in the package).

Checked out of the awesome place I spent the last 2 nights, lugged my suitcase down the street and was all checked into the new place by midday.

It wasn't far . . .

That building there is where I was staying. I can see it from the room I have for tonight!

I moved from being across the street from the Vancouver Public Library (Central Branch), to across the street from BC stadium.

I only did a little exploring today - the Vancouver Lookout observation tower being the first.

It has a glass-fronted elevator, so that as you ride up (and down) you can see out at the city. It's kind of trippy!

The tower gives good views of the city and surrounding mountains in all directions.

I liked the Sun Tower building and the Dominion Building (the red one in front). The goldy coloured one between them also has a name, but I've forgotten it because it's info plaque was no where near this view! A lot of the info plaques, and their little maps were not placed in relation to the view! It confused me, and many others while we were there.

The Queen Elizabeth was in town, berthed beside Canada Place.

Across the tops of the buildings is the view of Stanley Park, and over the Lions Gate Bridge to West Vancouver and the mountains beyond.

Once I'd done my 360degrees, it was back down in the elevator with a view, and down the street a bit to the Gastown Steam Clock.

Can't upload more than one video! There is a second one - I'll try adding it to a reblog.

I wanted to get a video of the clock chiming the quarter hour so you could hear the wonderful sound of the steam whistle . . . but I missed it!

Anyway - I did head back to the hotel after that to try and get an early night because I have a super early start in the morning. We will not talk about the fact it's midnight and I have to be up at 5:30am!

[rabbitcruiser]

Vancouver was incorporated on April 6, 1886.

[aleverythingsfine]

Sigo contando las horas para volverte a ver.🕑✨

[illustratedvancouver]

Gastown of the 1990s, a realist painting of Water Street and the Gastown Steam Clock by Paul Rupert. Paul Rupert (1946-2013) was a Canadian realist painter who trained under Arthur Lismer of the Group of Seven. From his obituary in the National Post:

Paul obtained his formal training at the school of art and design of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where he studied under the late Arthur Lismer (Group of Seven) and at Concordia University. His unique use of the palette knife and oil paints earned him worldwide recognition in such noted collections as: Royal Bank of Canada, Corby's Distilleries, International Bankers Club in Hong Kong, Molson Breweries, Montreal Stock Exchange, Canadian Embassy in Washington, Governments of Alberta and Ontario, Canada House and Ontario House in London, England, The National Gallery, The Claridge Collection, Lower Canada College and many others. Paul was commissioned to paint many of North America's renowned golf courses including The Royal Montreal Golf Club, The Shaughnessy Golf Club in Vancouver, Nicklaus North, Chateau Whistler, and The Augusta National Golf Club.

You can date the painting to around 1994 or beyond, not from the cars which are mostly from the 1980s, but from the Starbucks located at Water and Cambie Streets. This location operated there from 1994-2022, when it was announced in January it had closed permanently after 28 years at this location.

I don't see many other paintings around Vancouver by Paul, and I can't find a record of any major shows he had here, though it is quite likely he did exhibit work here at some point, especially with this poster as evidence, and his work with the Shaughnessy Golf Club. If you spot more of Rupert's local work, let me know!

[pennanbrae]

Tick-tock; a steam clock steams in Gastown.

[jayacesu]

The iconic steam clock in Vancouver ⏰🇨🇦

[ourpacificadventures]

On Wednesday morning we headed across to BC Place which is the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps football team along with a museum showcasing the city's myriad of sports over the years.

The museum was full of fantastic displays and it was so cool to see all the sports we don't have back home, like bobsledding and snowboarding!

There were even interactive areas like this spot where you could try your hand at ice hockey..

And racing a Formula 1 car - much more difficult than it looks!

We also got to look out over the pitch from a viewing platform inside the exhibit space.

And even met a mascot from the women's world cup on our way out 🤣

After a good couple of hours exploring the museum, we headed off towards Granville Island to get ready for our whale watching tour, stopping off to see the Gastown steam clock on our way - a clock entirely driven by a steam mechanism!

[michaelgbrown]

Vancouver Wednesday August 3

A spectacular sunrise over Vancouver harbour gave us oversight of two large cruise ships that had sneaked into port during the night. Both ships were huge but the passengers were too focussed on their buffets to notice us.

After morning ablutions, we made a trip to a bakery that we had noticed yesterday to get some breakfast. I stuffed up ordering coffee and ended up with a small glass with a shot of espresso. Eventually I worked out that an ‘Americano’ seems to best equate to a long black over here. Bernie had a delicious looking croissant while I had an egg salad sandwich, both very tasty. While we were eating, a Canadian policeman came in and ordered a donut, which he seemed to enjoy as he demolished it in two bites. I tried to get a picture for Sam, but after he gave me a fierce look I decided to leave him and his donut alone.

We then met up with the “Cons” and joined a bus tour of Vancouver. The favourite point-of-interest was Stanley Park, which we’ll visit another day, closely followed by Robson street, famous for it’s shopping strip. We got off the bus at an area called “Gastown” which apparently is named after an unfortunate fellow ‘Gasey Jack’ who was affected by flatulence, either that, or the bus driver was pulling my leg!

After a coffee and morning tea of a tasty snack of a custard filled donut we explored the Gastown. Above is a picture of a clock that is run by steam, very cool. After lunch, which we had at the same sandwich shop as yesterday, because they are really tasty and good, we walked to see the cauldron that was lit for the 2010 Winter Olympics in 2010. We were going to get it lit for our picture but apparently it costs $5k so we just stood in front without the flames.

Continuing along the harbour shoreline we walked past lots of extremely expensive boats owned by the oligarchs of Vancouver. Opposite Deadman’s Island (So named for obvious reasons, that’s where the settlers used to put their dead folks) we joined a paddle boat for a harbour cruise (MVP Constitution). An interesting tour I especially enjoyed seeing the mountain of yellow sulphur stored on the north shore.

With our hunger aroused by the cold salty air during our cruise we sought out a venue for dinner and happened upon the ARC restaurant were in we had a delicious meal of fish & chips for Bernie, Nachos for me, seafood salad for Aaron, a chicken salad for Rose, spaghetti for Hugo and chicken filets for Norah. With the sun going down and a slight drizzling rain we head back to our lodgings to slumber.

[grandparkhotel]

The best things to do in Gastown, Vancouver

Nestled in Vancouver's vibrant downtown core lies one of the city's most historic neighborhoods - Gastown. As the birthplace of Vancouver over 130 years ago, Gastown has managed to preserve much of its charming heritage character while embracing new developments. From its iconic Steam Clock and cobbled streets to scenic parks and architectural gems, this unique district offers an eclectic mix of things to discover. In this blog post, we will explore six of the top attractions in Gastown that provide fun and educational activities for any visitor to enjoy.

Watch the Steam Clock in action

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Gastown is the Steam Clock, located at the corner of Water and Cambie streets. Emitting bursts of steam every 15 minutes, the Steam Clock is definitely a quirky piece of Vancouver history not to be missed. Said to be the only steam-powered clock in the world, it was designed and created by E.D. Smith in 1977 as a tribute to the city's steam-powered past. Visitors are welcomed to watch through the clock's glass casing as the internal mechanisms precisely release steam to power the clock's movement. Crowds typically gather on the quarter hour to witness the explosions of steam. Catching the Steam Clock in action is a unique way to experience Gastown's coal- and steam-powered history while admiring the impressive engineering that goes into keeping this one-of-a-kind timepiece working.

Wander CRAB Park

Located right along the waterfront, CRAB Park is a relaxing green space that allows visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver. The 4-acre park is situated on Pier 3 in Gastown and features over 800 feet of seawall, making it a lovely spot to wander and take in views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains. Large grassy areas and wooden walking paths cutting through lush landscaping invite park-goers to stroll beneath the shade of tall trees. Benches are plentiful for soaking in the serenity of lapping waves or observing seabirds andsmall boats traveling by. A short detour also leads to nearby history exhibits along the seawall, shedding light on Gastown's past. With beautiful gardens and coastal scenery, CRAB Park offers a calming change of pace for exploring the historic waterfront neighborhood.

Admire the cobbled streets

Wandering along Gastown's quaint cobbled streets allows visitors to step back in time. Laid out in the 1880s, these original pavement stones carved out of Mount Seymour granite connect many of the area's preserved historic buildings. Travelers staying at a Vancouver airport hotel will enjoy a change of scenery as they stroll down the uneven roads, transporting them to a slower era. The striking contrast of modern metropolis Vancouver against Gastown's charming Old West facades make the neighborhood uniquely memorable. Visitors can spend hours admiring the eclectic mix of architectural styles from the late 19th century, such as ornate wooden details and facades characteristic of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Observing the cobbled streets offers a glimpse into how the city emerged and the importance Gastown played in its early years.

Take in the views of the city from the Vancouver Lookout

For spectacular 360-degree views of Vancouver's stunning natural landscape and vibrant downtown skyline, the Vancouver Lookout offers one of the best vantage points in the city. Situated on Levels 22 and 23 of the Stanley Park Pavilion building, visitors staying at a Vancouver airport hotel will be impressed by the expansive panoramas visible from this observation point. On a clear day, travelers can see across the Georgia Strait towards Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains while taking in the lush rainforest of Stanley Park below. They will get a true sense of Vancouver's geographic setting as a coastal city cradled between mountains and waterways. Spending some time taking pictures from the Vancouver Lookout is a memorable way to appreciate the beauty of the area from high above.

Waterfront Station

Waterfront Station is a major transportation hub located in the heart of Gastown. Serving as a stop for TransLink's SkyTrain, SeaBus, and regional bus routes, it sees heavy passenger traffic each day. However, Waterfront Station is equally interesting as a vibrant destination in its own right. The spacious building houses numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it a delightful place for visitors staying at a Vancouver airport hotel to while away some time. Wander through to find everything from local crafts and souvenirs to coffee shops serving artisanal brews and restaurants dishing up fresh Pacific Northwest cuisine. Up above, the spacious mezzanine level offers picturesque city views through towering windows. Whether commuting or exploring the neighborhood, travelers will find Waterfront Station a convenient and lively setting to take a break in downtown Vancouver.

Byrnes Block

The Byrnes Block stands prominently on the corner of Water and Carrall Streets as one of Gastown's most historic buildings. Constructed in 1888, it's considered among the finest examples of classic Victorian commercial architecture remaining in Vancouver. Its grand brick façade with arched windows and decorative wooden balconies immediately catches the eyes of passersby. Today, the building houses boutique shops, cafes and art studios, giving visitors insight into how businesses operated in the thriving city center over a century ago. Tourists staying at a Vancouver airport hotel can spend time admiring the intricate details and reading the interpretive panels that relay this preserved piece of the neighborhood's past. Wandering inside the Byrnes Block offers a peek into late 19th-century life and a chance to reminisce on Gastown's early days as the heart of the Canadian Pacific Railway terminus.

Conclusion

Spending time wandering the preserved streets of Gastown allows travelers to step back in time and learn about Vancouver's beginnings. With so much to see and do ranging from iconic landmarks to relaxing green spaces, the neighborhood deserves at least half a day's exploration. Visitors staying at a Vancouver airport hotel will find Gastown a convenient and memorable destination to experience historic charm amidst the vibrant city. From grand architecture to breathtaking views, this eclectic district succeeds in drawing you into its rich past while still feeling lively and welcoming today.

[katblu42]

Day 10 part 2 for the extra video

(it didn't seem to want to let me add this to a reblog)

[rabbitcruiser]

Captain George Vancouver “discovered” site of Vancouver on June 12, 1792.      

[canoodlingcrosscanada]

Steam clock in the Gastown neighborhood.

[warriorrrqueen]

Gastown Steam Clock in Vancouver, Canada

[studyingraphics]

Gastown Steam Clock in Vancouver, Canada

[forumchaves]

Gastown Steam Clock in Vancouver, Canada