Maple Tree Square

Once home to a large maple tree, this square at the junction of Carrall, Powell and Water streets was also the site of Gassy Jack's saloon in Gastown.

Pioneer Maple Tree Monument to Captain John Deighton

The 6 foot copper statue of Captain John “Gassy Jack” Deighton was sculpted by Vern Simpson. John Deighton (1830-1875) was the founding father of Gastown. Born in Hull, England, he was a river boat pilot and captain and saloon keeper. The sculpture was commissioned by a group of Gastown developers in 1970. Over a period of several years, the sculpture moved to various locations in Gastown. It came to the spot where Deighton built his saloon, one of the first buildings in Vancouver, back in 1867.

A lesser-known history of John Deighton is his marriage to two Squamish women, for which there are little known details. The statue was toppled during a protest in 2022 and later removed. Next steps for the future of the statue will be determined alongside the Squamish Nation and the future of Maple Tree Square will be determined through broader consultation with the Host Nations, and community engagement.

Source

Miss604, Illustrated Vancouver, Gastown Grand Prix, City of Vancouver, CBC News