Sweeney’s Cooperage
This False Creek site was home to the Sweeney Cooperage, largest barrel manufacturer in Canada from 1889 to 1980. Barrels of all shapes and sizes were made here, and were sent all over the world carrying everything from strawberries, whiskey, and beer, to salt-cured salmon. The cooperage consisted of two distinct parts: the Sawmill, built in 1945, which produced the wooden barrel parts, and; the Assembly Plant, where barrels, pails and tubs were produced. In the height of production, some 2,000 barrels a day came from Vancouver.
Situated in the Pacific Northwest, locally sourced timber was used in making barrels at Sweeney’s. Logs were floated into False Creek and processed in the mill. From there, barrel parts were either assembled locally, or shipped to other plants in Montreal and Seattle.
The wooden staves went through a steaming process before they were put into barrel form. Then they went through a kiln process to reach a moisture state that would allow the barrel to retain its shape without breaking.
Waypoint 1:
When you arrive at the original coordinates you should be standing on a wooden boardwalk. While you are here, enjoy the sounds you can create by walking along this portion of the boardwalk.
Look up: the number of objects – 2 = A
Look north: the number of poles x 9 = BC
Look south: the number of concrete circular planters x 17 = DE
Look down: the number of movable wooden planks that you are standing on ÷ 2 = F
When you have completed your art (and math) assignment, insert your answers into the following:
N49 16.ABC W123 06.DEF, and head to Waypoint 2.
Waypoint 2:
You should find yourself at a park location containing historical information of some previous activity on this site. In addition to the information provided on this webpage, you should be able to find the answers to the following questions:
G = How many local species of trees are listed as being used at this industry location?
1H = How many sawmills were operating in False Creek in 1960?
19I5 = The saw mill which produced the wooden barrel parts was built when?
19J1 = When was the last year of barrel production?
188L = This site was once home to Sweeney Cooperage from when until 1980?
Once you have answered the history questions, insert your final answers into the following:
N49 16.GHI W123 06.JIL, and turn on your geosense.
Waypoint 3:
You will be led down a garden path to the final GC location.
For further historical information, watch the NFB film: http://www.sweeneycooperage.ca/