Cathcart Tower

Cathcart Tower is a cylindrical limestone fortification built on Cedar Island near Kingston. The structure measures roughly 17 meters across with thick stone walls and a cone-shaped roof designed to shed snow and weather.

The tower was completed in 1848 as part of Kingston's defensive system during tensions between Britain and the United States over border disputes. It was built in response to the military threat posed by the nearby American border.

Alexander Mackenzie, who supervised the tower's construction, later became the second Prime Minister of Canada from 1873 to 1878.

You need a small boat to reach the island and tower since there is no land bridge connecting it to the shore. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the water is calmer and landing is easier.

The tower contains four evenly spaced caponiers, hidden firing positions that allowed defense from all angles. This specialized military design shows how advanced 19th century fortification techniques truly were.

GPS coordinates: 44.22541,-76.45402

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:45