I have shared the photos I took in my March 2005 album in the photo section of my website. I’d like to mention a little bit about them here.
When I reached the park I walked along the wooded trails for a time and then moved toward the Martello Tower, the park’s largest and oldest monument. This was my first subject, a broad, dwarfing stone structure that I found challenging to capture in a way that would portray its strong character.
When I walk in Point Pleasant Park I usually walk to the park’s edge and follow the coastline from there to a spot where a ferry once landed. This day I followed this path once I left the tower. Along the shore I took in the typical sights seagulls and ducks, crashing waves, a monument to sailors and the remains of coastal defences.
The defences are very much in need of repair, as you’ll see in the photos. Much of their foundations have eroded or otherwise been damaged, giving them a fragile strength. They hold on to the cliffs, keeping a steady, silent watch. Mortar breaks down and brick walls sink into the pebbles of the beach. They’re slowly returning to nature, letting their rocks disperse on a beach no longer in need of their protection.
I moved inland and came to Fort Cambridge Battery, which protected the Halifax Harbour from the American Civil War until WWI. It’s a facinating jumble of buildings and underground structures that are permitted to be viewed but not explored by the public. Today the site is used as the setting for outdoor Shakespeare performances which draw many people to the park during the summer.
The route I take to and from the park brings me past a cemetery. It’s one of the less interesting ones in the city, but there are some interesting contrasts. The housing tower I photographed in the background of several shots is the greatest of this, a hulking, ugly construction towering behind the serenity of the cemetery became beautiful because of its framing.
6 comments on “Digital History: Cracks and Rubble”
Wonderful pictures, Sir Apollo. Skillfully taken, for certain. I love the pictures of Martello Tower and Fort Cambridge Battery.
There is such an interesting visible history on the east coast that the west coast tends to lack an abundance of.
What a neat little history lesson.
Oh, how I wish I could travel to the east…
Well, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my photos.
I think the natural history of the west coast is facinating, though. There’s such a richness in the forests, mountains and coastline there that lasted untouched longer than did the landscape here.
I wish I could travel more myself. I’ll likely get to Ottawa over the summer but I’d love to go further west before long.
have you ever had the chance to explore McNabs Island? a few of us going camping there every summer. when we go I’ll let you know. I feel there is no place in all of Nova Scotia that has power like McNabs…
I haven’t been to that island since I was a child and don’t remember much about it. I’d certainly like to vitit it this summer.
Ooh wow. That’s some incredible photography. & such a great shot of Fenwick from the graveyard. I used to live there for a year. Do you mind if I borrow that pic for a journal entry sometime? I may not use it, but in case I ever write an entry about my stay there…I’ll credit you. I love the dark structures against the white snow & pale sky.
Thank you.
Yeah, feel free to use that one for an entry.