The new barracks had several uses over the course of history. Although they housed French soldiers from the time of their completion to the end of the French Regime, the buildings served as garrisons under the British, who went on to turn them into munitions factories toward the end of the 19th century. This watercolour, however, precedes this redevelopment; it dates from when the British army still housed its troops here.

1818 - 1834

Québec City: The Gibraltar of America

Founded in 1608, Québec City was designed as a military defence post for the French colony. Québec City’s military vocation continued for several more decades during the English Regime, which began in 1759. After the War of 1812, British authorities reinforced the city’s defences, earning it the nickname “the Gibraltar of North America.” Québec City’s military role gradually diminished thereafter, but the city retained a military omnipresence. Several artworks of the period bear witness to this.

Artillery barracks and gun placement, Québec City, Lower Canada

James Pattison Cockburn The new barracks had several uses over the course of history. Although they housed French soldiers from the time of their completion to the end of the French Regime, the buildings served as garrisons under the British, who went on to turn them into munitions factories toward the end of the 19th century. This watercolour, however, precedes this redevelopment; it dates from when the British army still housed its troops here.

Chronoscope What does this piece make you think of? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1830

Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1989-262-15 - Date: 1830

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