Fan Tan Alley is an alley in the
Chinatown
Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...
neighbourhood of
Victoria,
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
, Canada that is known for being the narrowest commercial street in North America, being less than wide at its narrowest point. It runs south from Fisgard Street to Pandora Avenue at the block between
Government Street and Store Street. Named after the Chinese gambling game
Fan-Tan, the alley was originally well known for opium factories that produced opium until it was made illegal in 1908.
The alley became known for gambling and got its Fan Tan name from the card game of the same name during the 1910s.
Police raids on the illegal gambling clubs and declining visitors led to the closure of the gambling clubs in the 1950s and 60s.
Fan Tan alley fell into disrepair and buildings were condemned at the time but was later revitalized in the 1970s and 80s with leadership from David Chuenyan Lai.
Today the alley is a tourist destination containing many small shops, an art gallery, restaurants, apartments, and offices. It was designated as a heritage property by the local government in 2001.
In 2006, material salvaged from the alley's original gate was donated to the
Six String Nation project, and now serves as kerfing on a guitar located there.
In the 1990 movie ''
Bird on a Wire'',
Mel Gibson
Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Mel Gibson, multiple accolades, he is known for directing historical films as well for his act ...
rides a motorcycle down the alley.
See also
*
L'Androuno
L'Androuno is one of the world's narrowest streets found in the city of Gassin, France.
It measures 29 centimeters (11.41 inches) at its narrowest point.Var Matin, 2015-06-07, Var Matin, 2015-07-25
The name derives from a Greek language, Gree ...
: A narrow street in France
*
Mårten Trotzigs Gränd: A narrow street in Sweden
*
Parliament Street, Exeter
Parliament Street is a -long street in the city Exeter, Devon, England. It links High Street to Waterbeer Street and dates from the 14th century. About at its narrowest and approximately at its widest, it has been claimed to be the world's nar ...
: A narrow street in the United Kingdom
*
Spreuerhofstraße: A narrow street in Germany
*
Strada sforii: A narrow street in Romania
References
Culture of Victoria, British Columbia
Roads in Victoria, British Columbia
Tourist attractions in Victoria, British Columbia
{{BritishColumbia-road-stub