The Gastown Steam Clock

     

       In 1977 the Canadian engineer, Raymond Sauder’s, built the Gastown Steam Clock. Although this clock is relatively young, only 36 years old, it still is widely known by Vancouverites today as a popular landmark and serves as a great tourist attraction. The Clock is known as being the worlds first steam powered clock. As identified on the base of the clock, the steam is supplied by the underground system of central heat distributors limited that causes a live stream of wind to blow the whistle after a series of ball-weights rise to the top of the clock. Every 4.5 minutes one of the steel weights will travel by steam power to the top of the clock. The clock sounds the Westminster chimes each quarter and a larger whistle sounds every hour. The clock although operates on steam also has the use of two internal fans, one that directs the steam out the top of the clock, and the other that plays the tunes on the five steam whistle.

           

            Many people may not understand why such a young monument is known as such a popular landmark, especially if it is not run based 100% on steam! The reason that it is so popular is because it marks a momentous change in Gastown its self.

           

In the 1970’s Gastown was a low-income neighbourhood with a lot of slum buildings. The Vancouver mayor, Tom Campbell, at the time proposed to develop Downtown Vancouver into a more prosperous area and build a multilane highway that would run through Gastown. He wanted to demolish Gastown, along with other areas to allow for improvements. The resident of these low-income communities resisted and joined together to prevent any demolition. Following the 'saving of Gastown', the government started to invest in the area and funded a refurbishing of all the old historic buildings that had now become worn down. Business returned to the area along with tourists completing the regeneration of Gastown. Local business owners came together originally to pay for the clocks design and building as part of the historic neighbourhood revival and marking of a focal point that would draw people in.  Today the Steam Clock is now owned by the city of Vancouver.

The large whistle that sounds every hour was taken from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) steam tugboat Naramata. Its value is an important reminder of the key role of the CPR in Canadian and British Columbian transportation in the beginning of the 20^th century. The Naramata is a historical piece of memorabilia its self because provided the Okanagan Lake, and the rest of the province, with agricultural and industrial growth. The Naramata is the only steam engine ship left in British Columbia that is currently in a museum preserved as a significant cultural resource that communicated the importance of diversity and transportation in BC history.

A young clock may not excite too many people, but knowing the historical background and the significance it provides makes the Gastown Steam Clock a worthy landmark of Vancouver. 

Discussion Question:
How much do you think it cost to make this clock back in 1997? How much do you think up-keep it too?