File:GastownSteamClock.jpg

Text on a card within the clock case:

The interior restoration of the Gastown Steam Clock is generously supported by Steamworks Brewing Co.

Text on each side of the base:

The Gastown Steam Clock

Designed and built by

Ramond L. Saunders

Horologist

The world's first steam powered clock has been created for the enjoyment of everyone. The live steam winds the weights and blows the whistles. Every 4.5 minutes one steel weight will travel by steam power to the top of the clock. The gravity driven "falling ball" drive was 'engineered' by Douglas L. Smith. Each quarter hour the clock will sound the Westminster Chimes. The large whistle will sound once on the hour. The steam is supplied by the underground system of Central Heat Distrubtors Limited. The component parts cost $42,000 and the clock weights over two tons

Gastown

This clock is located at the western boundary of the old Granville townsite, known as gastown. In 1870, the shore of Burrard Inlet was only a few yards north of this point. Through the early 1900's Gastown was the centre of Vancouvers. By the 1960's it had become the centre of Vancouver's 'skid road'. In the early 1900's it was rehabilitated to its former stature. The success of its reabilitation was due to property owners, retailers, and all the people of Gastown working together with City Council and civic departments. The townsite comittee, composed of the property owners of gastown, were responsible for the beautification of the streets. John W. Parker served as the chairman of the comittee between Jan. 1967 to Sept. 1977.

The Gastown Steam Clock

Dedicated to the citizens of Vancouver by the community of Gastown.

Presented by formor mayor Art Phillips, a freeman of the bough of Gastown, to his worship Jack Volrich, Mayor of the city of vancouver on September 24, AD 1977

Gastown Steam Clock Sponsors

Anonymous contributor

The Vancouver Gastown Lions Club

The City of Vancouver

The Gastown Historic Society, Woodward's Stores Ltd., Marathon Project 200 Properties, John & Patricia Parker, Charterhouse Propertied Ltd., Central Heat Distribution, Ltd., Milton & Marian Saunders, Air Candada, Simpson Sears Ltd., Georgina M. Barns, McNab Management Ltd., Ralph Johnstone, Otto Friedl Ltd., German - Candadian Businessmen Association, John Podlsnik, Cathay and May Can, The Harco Building, Hudson House, Ashiteru Rae, The Barkerville Inn, MacDonald & Lumsden Ltd., The Water Street Cafe.