Fort Howe National Historic Site — Attraction in Saint John

Aug. 28, 2022 - Rather disappointed in our visit to Fort Howe, over looking St. John, on our last day in Canada 🇨🇦! As a retired H. S. history teacher these historic sites should be a learning experience for all, especially the young/ future generations!

We drove to the top of this small park, where a “ block house” currently sits. This fort was named for General William Howe, who served from 1775 to 1778 as British Commander to suppress American Colonists. The plaque reads:

“Blockhouse 1777 opened Aug. 16, 1967 Joint Centennial Project”

Locked up, no entrance, maybe has 2 levels, made of 6 x 6 square timbers.

That’s it! But, if you go to another hill top you see this pyramid structure in stone. We didn’t realize this at the time?

Quick Historical Background

Pre 1700’s - Indians lived in this area

Early 1700’s - French & British colonize area

Mid 1700’s - Village of Parrtown established

Late 1770’s - French & British at war

1777 - Fort Howe (British) protect Parrtown

1778 - General Henry Clinton replaced General William Howe as British Commander

1783 - Treaty ends American Rev. War, City renamed St. John , Major Guilford Studholme in command, fortified Fort Howe

1812 - Fort Howe used to protect St. John in War of 1812 against U.S. for 2 years

1819 - Fire at fort causes major damage

1870 - Fort remains removed

1914 - Fort used as military reserve

1966 - Fort added National Historic Site

1967 - Project to rebuild Fort Blockhouse

Suggestion: Hopefully the Canadian Park Service will add more resources to gear up a learning center with exhibits & interactive displays for young people. I can only give this historic site 3 star rating, please...

The historically strategic location of this site overlooking the harbour is immediately clear when you visit it. The site is clean, offers car parking at the top and is wheelchair accessible. The view of the Bay of Fundy is good. However, the city centre of Saint John at the left-hand side has many uninspired (or should I say ugly) office buildings, and the right-hand side is a container port lined by a busy highway bridge. This makes for a mediocre view at best. One is certainly not put in mind of Florence and the many treasures therein... City planners could have created a gem of this city-on-the-hill-by-the-sea but failed abjectly to create a harmonious centre on the scale of humans. When you are already in Saint John, then I recommend a visit, but I would not travel a great distance...

It is place near the oldest building of Saint john. It is renown to go there at night because of the views of the whole city. There is a sign of Saint john. Parking place is available. Some of the people goes there to celebrate the birthdays and special occasions. It can be the good place to go there and relax especially at evening time as you can see the sunset and there is grass that you can seat or play games. It is close during the winter time because of the snow and there is a steep which...