Sqyuare Tower Portsmouth

Built in 1494, the Square Tower initially housed Portsmouth’s governor before becoming a gunpowder store in 1584. During the English Civil War, Royalists used its 1,200 barrels of gunpowder as leverage in surrender negotiations.

From 1676, Pierson’s Wharf served as a gun wharf, leading to concerns over gunpowder transport through the town. A dedicated powder bridge was built for safer loading, and a new magazine was added in the 1690s. By 1779, the tower was repurposed as a Royal Navy meat store until 1850.

In 1823, a semaphore tower was installed, linking Portsmouth to London, but was removed in 1848 with the advent of the telegraph. The tower was manned during both World Wars and was acquired by Portsmouth City Council between 1958 and 1960.

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• Photos: TimSC