- Type
- Military Defence Installation
- Designated
- 1990
Blockhouse
Also known as Kingston Mills Lockstation
About Blockhouse
Blockhouse is one of 55 Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings in Kingston. By its record, Blockhouse was built in 1832–1834. The register names Lieutenant-Colonel John By as its architect.
The Blockhouse is situated on an open site that overlooks the Rideau Canal at Kingston Mills Lockstation. Of solid appearance, it is an imposing, defensive structure with an overhanging second storey. Square in plan with a pyramidal roof, thick limestone walls protect the ground floor while the upper storey is built of squared timbers and covered with clapboard. Defence features include loopholes and machicolations and the second floor entrance accessed by an exterior stairway. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, Blockhouse · Open Government Licence – Canada · quoted as the register has it
The federal government rates the heritage buildings it owns as Classified or Recognized.
Questions about Blockhouse
When was Blockhouse built?
The register dates the construction of Blockhouse to 1832–1834.
What is Blockhouse?
Since 1990, Blockhouse has been a Recognized Federal Heritage Building.
Is Blockhouse protected?
While the federal government owns it, changes go through its heritage review.
Can you visit Blockhouse?
The outside is easy to see; inside, it depends on the owner’s rules.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada (Parks Canada).
Sources: Parks Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations · Canadian Register of Historic Places (federal extract).
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).