Description of Historic Place

The Former Caponier, also known as Building 46, is located at the south end of the ditch separating the counterscarp from the men’s quarters. Its two walls and small turret in the middle of its gable-roof are the only visible elements of this small stone building. It is integrated with the ramparts and pierced with loopholes. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 46 is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Building 46 is one of the best examples illustrating the defence of British North America against the constant threat of invasion by the United States. The Former Caponier is also strongly associated with the development of Québec City as the Citadel had a major impact on the civilian administration during the last century.

Architectural Value
Building No. 46 is a very good example of a British military defence building with excellent functional design and high quality craftsmanship. It is distinguished by its functional, solid masonry construction.

The Environmental Value
Designed mostly underground to blend in visually with the fortifications, the Caponier, Building 46, is strategically situated at the south end of the ditch separating counterscarp from the men’s quarters. Its materials and design harmonize well with and reinforces the historical military character of its fortress setting.

Sources:
Rhona Godspeed, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Building Report 89-163; Former Caponiere, Building No.46, The Citadel, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-163.

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of Building 46 should be respected.

Its functional, defensive military design and high quality craftsmanship and materials such as: its two visible stone walls laid in regular courses with pierced loopholes and integrated with the ramparts and its sheet metal clad gable roof with small turret in the middle designed to prevent people from moving around.

The manner in which Building 46 reinforces the historical defensive military character of its fort setting located in the Québec Citadel.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Former Caponiere, which was constructed around 1840, was probably designed by Lieutenant-Colonel John Oldfield. It is located at the south end of the ditch separating the counterscarp from the men’s quarters (Building No. 33). At one time, Buildings No. 45 and No. 46 were connected, but the passage was blocked up when Building No. 33 was built. Building No. 46 is currently vacant (and inaccessible). It is part of the Citadel of Québec, a National Historic Site. The building is owned by the Department of National Defence. See FHBRO Report 88-161.

Reasons for Designation
Building No. 46 has been designated “Classified” because of its historical significance, its fine design and quality construction, and its environmental significance.

The building, which is an integral part of the ramparts, is associated with the defence of British North America against the constant threat of invasion by the United States. It accentuates the military character of the Citadel, which had a major impact on the civilian administration of Québec during the last century and also on local development.

The design of the Former Caponiere was very clever, and included a small turret built in the middle of the roof prevented people from moving about. The Former Caponiere is relatively well preserved, which indicates careful construction and a choice of materials generally appropriate to the characteristics of the site.

The Former Caponiere reinforces the military character of the area in which it is located. It blends well with the adjacent military works in terms of design and materials.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of Building No. 46 resides in its architectural design, the building materials and construction techniques used, and its strategic location.

The building is characterized by stone walls laid in regular courses and a sheet-metal gable roof. A small turret designed to prevent people from moving about makes the roof unique. The two visible walls of this small building integrated with the ramparts are pierced with loopholes as they were originally.

It is recommended that the architectural integrity of this building be preserved and that an ongoing maintenance program be put in place to ensure the longevity of the masonry.

The unique shape of the roof and the turret must be preserved, as they contribute to the heritage character of the building.

The heritage significance of the Former Caponiere also resides in its relationship with the other elements of the defence system located in this part of the Citadel. It is therefore important that new works in the immediate vicinity of the building be kept to an absolute minimum.