Kingston, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Murney Martello Tower

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

1. Murney Martello Tower Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This tower was constructed in 1846 as part of the new naval defenses authorized for Kingston Harbour by the Imperial Government during the Oregon Crisis of 1845-1846. It was one of the last British works of defense commenced in the Canadian interior and one of the most sophisticated Martello Towers built in British North America. Although in regular use as a barracks after 1849 it was not fully armed until 1862, when it had already become obsolete because of rapid advance in offensive military technology.

Cette tour, élément de la défense navale du port de Kingston, fut érigée en 1846 avec l'autorisation du gouvernement impérial lors de la crise de l'Oregon. L'un des derniers travaux de fortification des Royal Engineers en sol canadien, elle était la plus complexe de toutes les tours à la Martello édifiées en Amérique. Elle servit de caserne après 1849, mais ne fut totalement équipée qu'en 1862 alors que les progrès rapides de la technique militaire l'avaient déjà rendue désuète.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 44° 13.352′ N, 76° 29.422′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Ontario. It is on King St W, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kingston ON K7L K7L, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: War Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Kingston Observatory / L’Observatoire de Kingston (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Early Land Survey in Ontario / Premiers Travaux D'Arpentage en Ontario (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Kingston General Hospital Role in Typhus Epidemic (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Sir John Alexander Macdonald (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); 21st Battalion CEF Cenotaph (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); 133 131 King Street East (approx. half a kilometer away); Militia Garrison 1837-38 (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

More about this marker. Kingston is independent from the surrounding Frontenac County.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

2. Murney Martello Tower Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on October 31, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.