Communities of the Downtown Eastside

Chinatown: Founded in the late 19^th century, Chinatown expanded after the repealing _­­of the Chinese Immigration Exclusion Act after World War II. It continues­ to be a vibrant part of the Downtown Eastside.

Gastown: Founded in 1867 when “Gassy Jack” Deighton built a saloon. In the late 1960s features such as a cobble-stoned street and vintage lighting were restored as part of an effort to attract tourists.

Victory Square: Named for its war memorial cenotaph, Victory Square contains businesses, downtown campuses of post-secondary institutions, and a number of single room occupancy hotels that house approximately 1500 people.

Strathcona: A diverse area with light industry and many forms of housing (apartments, public housing, converted housing, and rooming houses). Nearly sixty-one percent of residents in Strathcona speak Chinese as their first language.

Oppenheimer: Initially home to many Japanese Canadians. In World War II, the area was devastated when Canada interned the Japanese and moved them to camps in the interior of BC. Today, Oppenheimer includes a courthouse, police station, , Buddhist temple, theatre as well as social services, retail businesses and some light industrial facilities.