Bastion

The Bastion is a three-story wooden blockhouse with an octagonal shape built in Nanaimo. Horizontal timber walls and narrow openings were designed for defensive purposes during the mid-1800s.

The Hudson's Bay Company built this defensive structure between 1853 and 1855 to safeguard coal mining operations. It played a key role in protecting commercial interests during the region's early resource extraction period.

The building represents early European settlement and colonial influence in the region. It serves as a focal point that helps visitors understand how foreign traders shaped the local landscape.

The building operates as a visitor center and welcomes people who want to learn about local history. It sits in a central location in Nanaimo and can be viewed from the outside at any time.

This is the last freestanding tower that the Hudson's Bay Company ever built. It has been relocated twice since its initial construction, making its current location the final one.

Location: Nanaimo

Inception: 1855

Website: http://nanaimomuseum.ca/exhibits-collections/the-bastion

GPS coordinates: 49.16707,-123.93566

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02