Element 05 – Shoal Tower, Kingston

Shoal Tower was built in Kingston Harbour. In the background are the campus of the Royal Military College of Canada, Fort Frederick and Cathcart Tower. © Parks Canada

Completed in 1847 and built on a shoal in Kingston Harbour, the limestone tower rises 10,8 m above the water and is 20 m in diameter. The rubble and cribbing associated with the tower’s construction are visible in the water. Located directly off-shore from Kingston City Hall, Shoal Tower’s field of fire protected Kingston’s commercial harbour and the entrance to the Rideau Canal. Shoal Tower is part of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada and is classified as a CRM1 resource.

Shoal Tower was built close to the entrance of the Rideau Canal. © Parks Canada