Nova Scotia Forts

Canadian Forts

NOVA SCOTIA

Last Update: 19/JULY/2008

Compiled by Pete Payette - ฉ2008 American Forts Network

NOTE: Nova Scotia (along with present-day New Brunswick and most of Maine) was formerly known by the French as Acadia until British control in 1713 (de facto 1710). Nova Scotia was first named as such in 1621 in a grant from King James I of England.

Fort Francklin
(1768), Tatamagouche
A briefly occupied British blockhouse on the supply route from Halifax to Charlottetown, PEI, via Cobequid (Onslow). It was protected by a moated earthen redoubt to the rear. The troops were removed after a few months to garrison Boston, MA during civil disturbances. The earthworks are possibly still extant. Located on Blockhouse Point on the western side of the mouth of the Tatamagouche River. The town was permanently settled by the British in 1770. The earlier Acadian village here was abandoned in August 1755.

Antigonish Armoury
(1938 - 1939), Antigonish
A 4-inch naval gun was emplaced inside the provincial militia armoury in September 1938 for training purposes. It was removed and relocated to the Canso Strait Defences in October 1939.

ค COAST ARTILLERY DEFENCES, CANSO STRAIT

ค Melford Battery
(1939 - 1945), Melford
Two 4-inch naval guns were located east of town to protect the rail barges carrying coal across the Strait from Port Hawkesbury to Mulgrave. Two searchlights were also emplaced. A third searchlight and a magnetic indicator loop station were located to the east at Eddy Point.

ค Beacon Battery
(1939 - 1944), Hefferman Point, Cape Breton Island
Originally located near Auld's Cove until relocated in 1943 due north across the strait near Troy. Two 4-inch naval guns and an 18-pounder field gun were located here. The magazine and gunblocks still exist. A private residence stands where the barracks were once located. Two searchlights and a magnetic indicator loop station were also located here. This battery usually operated only in the summer months as the strait froze up during the winter.

During WWI (August 1914 - November 1915) an improvised timber blockhouse (as a lookout) was located near Auld's Cove. One 4.7-inch field gun may have been located here (see Canso Battery below).

ค Mulgrave Camp
(1940 - 1945), Mulgrave
The main garrison post for the coast artillery and infantry units guarding the Canso Strait was located at McNair's Point, on the north-side of the railroad two miles north of town. Machine gun nests were located here and at Point Tupper across the strait.

ค Canso Battery
(1914 - 1917), Canso
During WWI (August 1914 - November 1915) two improvised timber blockhouses (as lookouts) were located east and west of Hazel Hill. Two 4.7-inch field guns were emplaced at undetermined locations, one or both probably near Canso. One gun was removed in March 1915, the other removed in November 1915. In October 1916 one 4.7-inch field gun was re-emplaced in the area (undetermined location), but was again removed in May 1917 to Fort Petrie near Sydney.

Chedabouctou Fort
(1659 - unknown), Guysborough
A French fort was once located here, built by Nicolas Denys. It was rebuilt several times.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Guysborough Blockhouse
(1812 - 1815), Guysborough
A blockhouse was built here to defend the town's harbour.

Canseau
(1604), Canso
An early French settlement, possibly fortified.

Fort William Augustus
(Grassy Island National Historic Site)
(1743 - 1744, 1745), Grassy Island
Located offshore from Canso. Only earthwork ruins remain of a British four point star-shaped fort. It was attacked by the French in 1744. A blockhouse was later built here in 1745 by William Pepperell supporting the attack against Louisbourg. It was abandoned later that year.
(additional info provided by Terry Deveau)

Sable Island Fort
(1598 - 1602 ?), Sable Island
An early French settlement, made by 40 colonists under the Marquis de La Roche. Crude houses and a storehouse were built, probably with defensive earthworks. In 1601 or 1602 the colonists mutinied, killing the commander and several others. The eleven destitute survivors were found and rescued in 1603. Sable Island was then, and still is, sandy and treeless.

Lawrencetown Fort
(1754 - 1757), Lawrencetown
A blockhouse and stockade defended this failed early settlement. The town would be resettled much later.

(see page 2 for Halifax - Dartmouth area forts)

Chester Blockhouse
(1759 - unknown), Chester
A town blockhouse on Duke Street. Attacked by the Americans in 1782. The women of the town had paraded around the blockhouse with red capes and broomsticks, imitating the local militia and fooling the Americans into backing off. The blockhouse was converted to a private residence sometime after 1815, now known as the Wisteria Cottage House. Two of the original guns are now on display at the Legion Hall.
(thanks to Mark Wilson for providing info)

Lunenburg Blockhouses
(1753 - 1815), Lunenburg
Several blockhouses were erected to protect the harbour over the years. At least two on the peninsula in 1753, several behind the town in 1756, one with a six-gun battery on Windmill Hill in 1812, and one with a four-gun battery on Jesser's Point in 1813.

Fort Ste. Marie de Grace
(1632 - 1636), La Have
Built by Isaac de Razilly, first governor of Acadia, and served as the first capital of Acadia. Abandoned when Port Royal was resettled. The Fort Point Museum, a former lighthouse keeper's house, is built on the site, along with a rock cairn memorial (1930's).

Port Rossignol Post
(1632 - unknown), Liverpool
A French trading post.

Liverpool Fort
(Fort Point Lighthouse Park)
(1763 - 1815), Liverpool
A privateers' fort. It was attacked by Americans in 1780 as reprisal against privateer raids in New England in 1777 - 1778. It was a five-gun earthwork. A blockhouse was built here in 1813 with a three-gun battery. The first lighthouse here was built in 1855. Two advance batteries were also built at Wreck Point and Black Point in 1812. A rock cairn and cannon serve as a memorial. A museum with a model of the fort is in the current lighthouse.

Gunning Cove Fort
(1783 - unknown), Gunning Cove
A British fort was once located at Fort Point, previously named Scarborough Point, renamed Carleton Point when fortified.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

คค COAST ARTILLERY DEFENCES, SHELBURNE HARBOUR

คค Fort McNutt
(1939 - 1943), McNutt's Island
Located adjacent to the Cape Roseway Lighthouse (built 1788), armed with two US 10-inch M1888 guns on M1893 barbette carriages, both of which still remain as rusted relics. The Port of Shelburne was designated as an alternate port to Halifax Harbour during WWII. The island is accessible by ferry from Gunning Cove. Near Round Bay, at Red Head, was an observation post.

คค Government Point Battery
(1939 - 1944), south of Jordan Bay
Two 4.7-inch guns and a searchlight position were located here.

คค Tea Chest Battery
(1939 - 1943 ?), south of Sandy Point
A two-gun 75mm AMTB battery was located here, then relocated to Sandy Point later in the war.

คค Sandy Point Battery
(1943 ? - 1944), Sandy Point
The AMTB battery from Tea Chest was relocated here. The nearby Sandy Point Lighthouse was built in 1873.

Fort St. Louis
(1623 - 1635), Port La Tour
Built by Charles de Saint-ษtienne de La Tour. Also known as Fort Lom้ron. Attacked by the British in 1629 and 1630. Site is marked by a stone cairn. Cannons and other artifacts are on display at Barrington Western Counties Military Museum. Debate exists that may place the actual location of the fort at Sand Hills Beach.

Yarmouth Blockhouse
(1812 - 1815), Yarmouth
Located on Bunkers Peninsula was a four-gun earthwork battery with a wooden blockhouse, magazine, and guardhouse. It was later abandoned.

Yarmouth Battery
(1940's), Yarmouth
An 18-pounder gun battery was located here on the old ferry terminal pier during WWII. The old pier no longer exists.

Digby Blockhouses
(1812 - 1815), Digby
Three blockhouses were built to defend the town. One was on the hill overlooking the town, and the other two were to the east (Victoria Beach) and west of the Digby Gut, each with four-gun batteries. They were later abandoned.
There were once French plans for a work at present-day Victoria Beach, but it was probably never built.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing additional info)

Port Royal Habitation (1) (National Historic Site)
(1605 - 1623), Port Royal
The French settlement from St. Croix Island, NB moved here for better conditions. English raiders from Virginia attacked and burned the settlement in November 1613. It was rebuilt, and lasted until 1623 when attacked again. In 1636 the French resumed the settlement at present-day Annapolis Royal. Reconstructed in 1939. OUR PHOTOS

Charles Fort
(1629 - 1632), Port Royal
Scots settlers built this fort near the former French fort. They were evicted by the French in 1632.

Fort Anne (National Historic Park)
(1636 - 1797, 1812 - 1815), Annapolis Royal
The French resumed the Port Royal (2) settlement here in 1636 and built an earthworks fort. This became the new capital of Acadia. The fort was no longer in use by 1686, and the British easily captured the town in 1690. It was returned by treaty in 1697. The French rebuilt the fort in 1702 as a square earthwork with four bastions. This fort still stands today. It withstood British attacks in 1704 and 1707. The British captured it a final time in October 1710, renamed the fort, and renamed the settlement to Annapolis Royal. Both the French and the British had fortified nearby Goat Island. A wooden blockhouse was built within the remains of Fort Anne in 1812. It was later demolished for firewood. Annapolis Royal served as the capital of the province until 1749 when Halifax was established. This is Canada's oldest National Historic Site. OUR PHOTOS

Fort Mohawk
(1712 - 1714, 1744 - 1749), Annapolis Royal
A British blockhouse originally built for the use of New York Mohawk Indians against the local Micmaq Indians. It was still standing in 1729 when it was used as a chapel. The blockhouse was rebuilt by John Gorham's Rangers (also Mohawk Indians from New York) in 1744 near the original location. The garrison transferred to Halifax, then to Fort Sackville in 1749. The blockhouse was transported to Minas in 1749.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Minas Stockade
(1746 - 1747, 1749 - 1753, 1760), Grand Pr้
A stockade was built around deserted Acadian houses by British troops as a stop-gap measure before winter set in. They arrived too late for time to build a proper fort. The blockhouse from Annapolis Royal was then erected here in 1749. The garrison transferred to Fort Edward in 1753. The blockhouse was rebuilt in 1760 and named Fort Montague. The old village stockade was then known as Vieux Logis.

A French fort may have been located east of here at the mouth of the Gaspereau River.
(additional info provided by Terry Deveau)

The Planters' Barracks
(1778 - 1782), Starrs Point
A local militia two-story barracks built to protect the town against American privateers during the American Revolution. Sold in 1782 and thereafter used as a private residence. Located at 1464 Starrs Point Road.

Cornwallis Fort
(1760 - unknown), Kentville
A palisaded British fort with four guns. Remains were still visible until 1850. Kentville was previously named Cornwallis.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort at New Minas
(1740's ?), New Minas
Probably an Acadian stone house that was referred to as a "fort" by the British settlers in 1760.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Falmouth Fort
(1760), Falmouth
A British fort was probably built here.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort Edward (1) (National Historic Site)
(1750 - unknown), Windsor
This is the oldest surviving blockhouse in Canada. Some earthworks are still visible. It was also reported used during the American Revolution. OUR PHOTOS

Fort Ellis
(1761), Stewiacke
A temporary British fort located at the junction of the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke Rivers.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Fort Belcher
(unknown date), Colchester County
Once located on the Salmon River, probably no remains.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

Parrsboro Blockhouses
(1812 - 1815), Parrsboro
Two wooden British blockhouses with barracks that protected the small harbour, on a hill overlooking Partrige Island. A gunboat protected the ferry crossing. One of the blockhouses still had visible remains several decades ago.

Fort Lawrence
(1750 - 1756), near Amherst
Built by the British adjacent to the then abandoned Acadian village Beaubassin to keep the French in Acadia (New Brunswick) from crossing into British territory. There were two blockhouses within the square palisade. After the capture of Fort Beaus้jour, NB in 1755, the British burned it down in 1756 when it was no longer needed. A stone cairn near the present railroad marks the location.
(website courtesy of Linda Brown of the Fort Lawrence-Beaubassin Heritage Association)

Fort Grunt
(unknown date), Cape Spencer
The name appears on several old maps.
(thanks to Terry Deveau for providing info)

NEED MORE INFO: a World War II era tower (?) at the Cobequid Interpretive Centre at Economy.
Towns: Blockhouse west of Mahone Bay.

Special thanks to Robert D. Zink of the Coast Defense Study Group for providing info on the Coast Artillery Defences of Canso Strait, Shelburne Harbour, and Yarmouth.

Halifax Harbour - page 2 | Cape Breton Island - page 3