Canada Guide
The Maritime Provinces
Officers' Square
Address: At the foot of Regent Street
The garrison, stationed to counter the threat of American attack, paraded on the Officers' Square. Mostly grassed over today, the square still has space for the Changing of the Guard, a re-enactment of British drill that takes place during the summer (July & Aug Fri– Sun at 11am & 4pm, Mon– Thurs 11am & 7pm; t506/460-2041). If you miss it, the sentry changes every hour on the hour, a brief march between the square and City Hall just along the street.
The square formed the eastern perimeter of the Military Compound, which once stretched over to York Street between Queen Street and the river. It was a large garrison for such a small place and, once Canada– US relations were on a secure footing, the attitude of the local citizenry towards the antics of the military hardened. They could put up with the grog shops and brothels discreetly located on the other side of the river, but they were infuriated by a huge brawl between soldiers and sailors that swept right across town – and indeed when the British regulars finally departed in 1869 many were relieved.