Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site - Historic Places Days

Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Type
Military
Address
5718 Point Pleasant Drive, Halifax, NS B3H 1B5, Canada
Get directions
Hours
https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/prince
Phone
(902) 426-5080

The Prince of Wales Tower stands on guard on the highest point of Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This solid, thick-walled Martello tower is the first tower of its type ever built in North America, and is part of the Halifax Defence Complex.

The first tower of its type ever built in North America; the Prince of Wales Tower is part of the robust Halifax Defence Complex constructed, beginning in the 1790s, to protect British sea batteries from a French landward attack. This solid, thick walled Martello tower stands guard on the highest point of Point Pleasant Park. Today, interpretive panels portray the tower’s history, architectural features and significance as a defensive structure. Learn more

Amenities

  • Family-Friendly
  • National Historic Site
  • Parking
  • Parkland
  • Pet-Friendly
  • Washrooms

Fun Facts

  • The tower is located within a spacious clearing in the forest at the highest point within Point Pleasant Park.
  • Prince of Wales Tower received its name when Edward, Duke of Kent, ordered its construction and subsequently named it in honour of his eldest brother.
  • Called Amtoukate (Spirit Place) by the Mi’kmaq First Nation, the area was later called Sandwich Point, Pleasant Point, and finally Point Pleasant Park.
  • In 1866, the British military offered the park to the city on a 999-year lease for an annual rent of one shilling.

Location

5718 Point Pleasant Drive, Halifax, NS B3H 1B5, Canada
Get directions

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