Gibraltar Point Blockhouse facts for kids
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The Gibraltar Point Blockhouse was a special kind of small fort. It was built in 1794 on Gibraltar Point. This spot is at the western end of what we now call the Toronto Islands.
John Graves Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. This was a British colony that later became part of Ontario. Simcoe planned how to protect the entrance to Toronto Harbour. He created defences for Fort York and also for the Gibraltar Point Blockhouse. The blockhouse was placed south of the harbour's main entrance.
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What Was the Gibraltar Point Blockhouse?
A blockhouse is a strong, small building used for defence. It is usually made of thick timber or stone. Soldiers could fire from inside it through small openings.
Building and Design
In 1800, a storehouse and a guardhouse were added to the blockhouse area. The original defence structure was damaged in 1813. It was then rebuilt as a blockhouse in 1814.
The blockhouse had two floors. The top floor was open to the sky. It held a large cannon that could turn to aim in different directions.
There was also a special oven inside. This oven was used to heat cannonballs. These "hot shot" cannonballs could set enemy ships on fire. Ships back then were mostly made of wood, so they burned easily. The bottom floor of the blockhouse could house about 30 soldiers.
The walls of the blockhouse were very strong. They were made from two parallel wooden walls. The space between these walls was filled with tightly packed earth. This made the walls very thick and hard to break through.
Its Role in History
The blockhouse was meant to help defend York. York was the old name for Toronto. However, it did not play an active part when American forces captured York during the War of 1812.
During this war, most buildings on the Toronto Islands were destroyed. But the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse was one of the few buildings that survived. The Gibraltar Point Blockhouse was not used in the fighting.
Later Years and End
After the war, during times of peace, the blockhouse had another use. Its living quarters were used to quarantine people who were very sick. This meant keeping them separate to stop diseases from spreading.
By 1823, the blockhouse was falling apart. It was in ruins. It was finally removed completely by 1833.
