Travel just 6 miles southwest of Halifax, at Purcell’s Cove Road to visit this historic site. You’ll be able to visit a 200-year-old fort located on a high bluff overlooking the Halifax Harbor’s spectacular entrance. York Redoubt's original batteries were built in 1793, at the outbreak of war between Britain and revolutionary France.
When French warships were reported in the western Atlantic, harbor batteries were quickly erected to secure Halifax from attack by sea. Over the years the site was enlarged and strengthened. By the early 1860s, advances in artillery design had made the site obsolete. The rearmament of York Redoubt caused a complete reconstruction and enlargement of the site.
Despite the dramatic changes in appearance, the role of the new Redoubt remained much the same as the old. Its lofty vantage point gave York Redoubt an important communications role.
In the 19th century York Redoubt and the Citadel used signal flags to keep each other informed of ships' movements.
During the First World War, the site was used as barracks for assigned infantry and for troops waiting to go overseas.
Between 1940-1942 the Fire Command Post for harbor defenses was built at York Redoubt.
Early in the Second World War, the Redoubt was the nerve centre for harbor defenses, including an anti-submarine net, which stretched across the harbor’s entrance from the Redoubt to McNabs Island.
