Stone Cold Sentinel
If you’ve ever wanted a panoramic shot of Saint John with a side of cannon history, make your way to Carleton Martello Tower. Perched high on Carleton Heights, this stone sentinel has stood watch over the city since the War of 1812. It’s squat, it’s circular, and it’s packed with stories. Some military, some architectural, all fascinating.
Built between 1813 and 1815 by the British as a coastal defense post, the tower is one of just nine Martello towers still standing in Canada. And while its cannons may be long retired, its presence remains commanding.
From Gunpowder to Google Maps
The tower was a little late to the war party. It wasn’t finished in time to see action during the War of 1812. But that didn’t stop it from becoming one of Saint John’s most versatile military hubs over the next century.
By 1846, it had a bombproof powder magazine, and during the Fenian threat of the 1860s, it was armed and ready with 32-pounder guns. When it wasn’t acting as a powder keg or fortress, it did time as barracks, a prison for deserters during WWI, and later a fire command post during WWII, complete with anti-aircraft surveillance tech and a concrete bunker tacked onto the top like a war-time loft.
Architecture Built for Battle
Martello towers weren’t designed to be pretty. They were designed to take a beating. Thick stone walls slope inward to deflect cannonballs, and there’s just one way in (via staircase, of course. No front doors to kick down here). Carleton’s version, made of rubble masonry, is about 9 metres tall and 15 metres in diameter, with walls nearly two metres thick at the base.
Its location, 68 metres above sea level, was no accident either. From this rocky promontory, soldiers could keep eyes on the harbour, Fort Dufferin, Partridge Island, and the Reversing Falls. Think of it as Saint John’s original 360-degree security system.
Meet Your New Favourite Picnic Spot (Yes, Really)
While the tower itself is currently under restoration, the grounds and visitor centre remain open, and they’re well worth the detour. You’ll find a museum with military relics, interactive exhibits, a short film, and occasionally a costumed interpreter who’s way too good with a musket.
And did we mention the view? It’s not just for history buffs. The tower sits at the top of a bluff that offers stunning vistas of Saint John and the Bay of Fundy. Perfect for Instagram. Or introspection. Or both.
Know Before You Go
- Admission is currently free while restoration is underway (bonus!).
- Located a short drive from Uptown Saint John and just minutes from the Reversing Falls.
- Check Parks Canada for current tower access; interior may be closed, but the visitor centre and grounds are open.
- Bring a picnic, bring your camera, bring your curiosity.
Why It Still Matters
Carleton Martello Tower isn’t just a leftover hunk of stone. It’s a reminder that New Brunswick’s oldest city was once on the frontline of multiple global conflicts. It’s an architectural oddity, a photo op, and a national historic site rolled into one, and it’s very much still part of the fabric of Saint John.
So go ahead. Climb the hill. Snap the view. And stand where soldiers once stood, watching the tides roll in and history unfold below.
