Shoal Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shoal Tower |
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| Confederation Basin, Kingston, Ontario Canada. | |
Shoal Tower
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| Type | Martello tower |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1847 |
| Materials | Local limestone |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Shoal Tower, Kingston |
| Part of | Rideau Canal |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i)(iv) |
| Inscription | 2007 (31st Session) |
| Area | 0.32 ha (34,000 sq ft) |
| Buffer zone | 1.68 ha (181,000 sq ft) |
The Shoal Tower, also once called Victoria Tower, is a cool old building in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. You can find it right in the harbour, called Confederation Basin. It stands directly across from Kingston City Hall.
This tower is a special type of fort known as a Martello tower. It was one of four such towers built in the 1840s. Their main job was to protect Kingston's harbour and the important entrance to the Rideau Canal.
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What is a Martello Tower?
A Martello tower is a small, round fort. It has thick walls and was built to hold cannons. These towers were very strong and hard to attack. They were used for coastal defense.
Kingston's Four Towers
Kingston was a very important place. So, four Martello towers were built there. These towers were part of a bigger plan to make the area safer.
The four towers are:
- Cathcart Tower on Cedar Island
- Shoal Tower in the Confederation Basin
- Fort Frederick on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada
- Murney Tower
Canada once had 16 Martello towers. Today, only 11 of them are still standing. Four of these important towers are right here in Kingston!
Why Was Shoal Tower Built?
The Shoal Tower was built in 1847. It is made from strong local limestone. The tower stands about 11 meters (36 feet) high. It is also 16.5 meters (54 feet) wide.
Its cannons were ready to defend the water leading into Kingston Harbour. The towers were built because of a disagreement. Great Britain and the United States were arguing over land. This land was the border between British Columbia and Oregon. People worried this argument might lead to war. They feared an invasion of Canada.
Because of this worry, the towers were quickly built. Luckily, the war never happened. Over time, the Shoal Tower was no longer needed for defense. It was eventually abandoned.
A Special Landmark
The Shoal Tower is a very important part of Canadian history. In 1930, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it is a place that tells a big story about Canada's past.
It is also part of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site. This site includes several old forts and towers in Kingston. They all worked together to protect the city long ago.
