In the 1860s, there wasn't much more to Gastown than a saw mill and a rough-and-tumble tavern catering to the Gold-rush. Its population boomed and its buildings spilled swiftly along the Burrard Inlet until on 6 April 1886, it was incorporated as the city of Vancouver. Today, its glass towers are superimposed over mountains and clouds, and link the waters of the Pacific to the wide open skies. From our Online City Guide to Vancouver. Purchase a Digital Subscription via the link in bio to access all our online guides.