York Redoubt National Historic Site

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Established in 1793 on a bluff overlooking the harbour entrance, and expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries, York Redoubt was a key element in the defence of Halifax Harbour. Visit the Second World War Command Centre, and enjoy the scenic views of the harbour mouth and adjacent coastline.

This National Historic Site of Canada is part of the Halifax Defence Complex.

A blockhouse was built here in 1794 to guard against a landward attack against the eight-gun redoubt. The Duke of York Martello Tower was built in 1798 to replace it. The redoubts were rebuilt in the late 1860's to hold eight gun positions.

In 1939 the York Shore Battery (to 1945) was built on the shore below the old redoubt, with two 12-pounder guns transferred from Fort Ives, later replaced with two 6-pounder duplex guns. A 4.7-inch gun battery was located by the anti-submarine net anchorage. Three searchlight emplacements (1940) are located on the wooded hillside just north of the shore battery. The harbour mines were controlled from the York Redoubt in WWII.