Statue of John Deighton

The Statue of John Deighton was a bronze figure on a stone pedestal at the intersection of Carrall and Water Street in Vancouver's historic district. It depicted the man who founded the first saloon in this area and became a focal point for visitors exploring Gastown.

Artist Vern Simpson created the bronze figure in 1970 to honor John Deighton, who opened the Globe Saloon at this location in 1867. The monument stood at this intersection for decades until its removal in 2022.

The statue depicted Gassy Jack, a saloon keeper whose arrival shaped early Vancouver's social life and commercial growth. His story became central to how residents understood the neighborhood's rowdy pioneer origins.

The statue is no longer on site and cannot be visited today. The location at Carrall and Water Street remains easy to find and serves as a reference point while walking through Gastown.

Deighton married a young Squamish woman, which sparked modern conversations about what stories deserve public monuments. This controversial aspect eventually contributed to the statue's removal from the community.