By THE CANADIAN PRESS – July 14th 2009

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver’s Gastown district has been designated a national historic site.

MP Jim Prentice, who’s responsible for Parks Canada, says the designation recognizes the role of the architecturally significant area in shaping western Canada’s economy.

He notes that many of the commercial buildings dating mostly from 1886 to 1914 represent an early example of an urban historic district created by people involved in conserving heritage sites.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says Gastown is the birthplace of Vancouver and that citizens have ensured it’s preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Gastown was named after Captain “Gassy Jack” Deighton, who in 1867, persuaded some mill workers to build him a saloon on the south side of Burrard Inlet.

The area then grew into the city of Vancouver.