Central Vancouver in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
The Old Maple
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 10, 2010
1. The Old Maple Marker
tree under whose branches
the pioneers met in 1885 and
chose the name "Vancouver"
for this city.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 49° 17′ N, 123° 6.259′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver. It is in Central Vancouver. It is at the intersection of Powell Street and Carrall Street on Powell Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vancouver BC V6B 1B2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and in Coast & Mountains. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Gassy Jack" (here, next to this marker); Byrnes Block (a few steps from this marker); Nagle Bros. Garage (within shouting distance of this marker); The Packing House (within shouting distance of this marker); Abrams Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Cordage Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Hotel / The Terminus Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Robinson Block / Rene Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.
Also see . . . Vancouver. GeoBC provides
this page online
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 10, 2010
2. The Old Maple Marker- closeup of artwork on marker
In the lower left of the image is what appears to be the artist's name, although illegible. In the lower right there is an oddity of sorts: The last half of the last couplet in Joyce Kilmer's poem Trees, "Only God can make a tree".
Photographed by Stuart Thompson, June 13, 1925
3. Charles Marega unveils Maple Tree Memorial
This 1925 image, courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives, shows the unveiling of the Maple Tree Memorial - a fountain with this marker, at the intersection of Water and Carrall Streets (the location of Maple Tree Square). The marker is now mounted, however, on the statue of John "Gassy Jack" Deighton in Maple Tree Square.
Photographed by H.T. Devine, June 7, 1886
4. View looking south up Carrall Street, with the Old Maple Tree
This 1886 photo of the Maple Tree, courtesy of the City of Vancouver Archives, would seem to bear more than a passing resemblance to the image on the marker. Taken in June 1886, shortly after Vancouver was incorporated. Prior to incorporation, the area had formally been known as Granville, and also informally as "Gastown" (after the founder of the settlement, John "Gassy Jack" Deighton).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 10, 2010
5. Gassy Jack Statue with the Gassy Jack and The Old Maple markers
The Old Maple marker is npw attached to the base of the Gassy Jack statue in Maple Tree Square, below the Gassy Jack marker.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 10, 2010
6. Maple Tree Square in Vancouver
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,439 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 9, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
