Carleton Martello Tower, National Historic Site in Saint John, Canada.
Carleton Martello Tower is a circular stone fortification built on a hillside overlooking Saint John, constructed with thick defensive walls and a central interior support column. The structure displays early 19th-century military engineering with vaulted ceilings and a steep exterior staircase leading to the top.
The British Army built this fortification between 1812 and 1815 to defend Saint John against potential American invasion during the War of 1812. Later, the site served as a fire command post for harbor defense during World War II following the addition of a concrete annex.
The tower represents early 19th-century British coastal defense engineering, featuring a central support pillar, vaulted ceiling, and steep exterior access staircase.
The tower sits atop a hillside and requires climbing a steep interior and exterior staircase to reach the top, which demands moderate fitness. A visitor center with exhibits and presentations provides context about the military history and helps visitors understand the site.
A two-story concrete annex was added during World War II to complement the original stone structure and make the building more useful for modern defense purposes. This addition stands today as visible evidence of the site's evolving role across different military periods.
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