Located a handful of kilometres from the US/Canada border sits a lonely blockhouse, an odd sight today. Most Blockhouses in Canada are usually attached to some larger fort or remainders from a larger complex. But not just one sitting out at an intersection of two provincial highways. But the Lacolle Blockhouse is a spot, part of the larger border defence between Lower Canada (today Quebec) and the United States that sprang up during and after the American Revolution. The blockhouse was first built in 1781 (yes, this is original) to defend the border and the nearby lighthouse and mill. However, the British and Militia who manned the frontier outpost didn’t see much action until 1812, when an American force crossed the border and was soundly repelled by force led by Charles Michael de Salaberry (who would eventually go on to lead the Canadian forces at the Battle of the Chateauguay), a second force would attempt to seize Lacolle Mills again in 1814 but again would fail. And yet, after the war ended and the need for these defensive structures became obsolete, the blockhouse survived. Now over 230 years later, it still serves as a small museum and remains the only blockhouse in the province of Quebec.
Modified Anniversary Speed Graphic – Fuji Fujinon-W 1:5.6/125 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (320TXP)
Meter: Pentax Spotmeter V
1/4″ – f/64 – ASA-320
Kodak Xtol (1+1) 8:30 @ 20C