Former Guardhouse / Fire Engine House / Coal Stores, Building 114

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) is situated within Fort Charlotte on Georges Island located in Halifax Harbour. It is a one-storey, red brick building of square plan with a low-pitched gabled roof and brick chimney. The main entrance is flanked by two windows and has a service entrance situated to its left. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) is associated with the internal organization and operation of a coastal defence establishment in the last years of the 19th century. As one of only six standing structures on Georges Island from the second development phase of submarine mining (1885-1905), the building is an essential component of this historic group of buildings.

Architectural Value:

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) is a good example of a specialized, multi-functional coastal defence support structure integral to a permanent submarine mining establishment. The opening pattern differs in each façade in order to accommodate the building’s three diverse functions. This simple, functional, building exhibits very good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) reinforces the present military character of the Fort Charlotte National Historic Site setting and is familiar to staff and visitors to the island.

Sources:

Rhona Goodspeed, Georges Island, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Volume Two, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 95-001.

The Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114), Fort Charlotte, Georges Island, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia Heritage Character Statement 95-001.

The character-defining elements of the Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114), should be respected, for example:

Its functional design and very good quality craftsmanship and materials, for example:

-The simple massing, square plan, low-pitched gable roof and the brick chimney stack with double course oversailing;

-The three facades pierced by different opening patterns which feature both single and double doors and windows that acknowledge the diverse nature of the three separate functions;

-The solid brick walls constructed in English bond with camber jackarched openings, lug sills and stone thresholds;

-The six-over-six double hung windows;

-The interior plain brick walls.

The manner in which the Former Guardhouse/Fire Engine House/Coal Stores Building (No.114) reinforces the present military character of the setting within Georges Island National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark as evidenced by:

-Its specialized military defence design which harmonizes with the other defence structures in the fort setting;

-Its visibility and familiarity within the fort.