The Cameron Blockhouse

On my way home from visiting friends in Wanganui I decided to visit the Historic Cameron Blockhouse. I always have my camera and evp recorder in the car so why not? I was not dissapointed it was such a great piece of history to see and explore and I had it all to myself. Sadly you could tell some misuse the blockhouse. I saw an empty beer bottle up in the attic and a hair brush and some burnt hay in the lower section. Luckily this had not caused any damage.

 

Below is some information on the Cameron Blockhouse:

The Cameron Blockhouse is in Wanganui New Zealand. It was built in 1868 during the New Zealand Wars and is a rare example of a privately constructed redoubt.

Scottish settler John Cameron built the Blockhouse in 1841 for the protection and refuge of his family during this period. John Cameron believed their was going to be an impending attack by Maori leader Riwha Titokowaru. Titokowaru had fought and won many battles in south Taranaki and was heading towards Wanganui.

The floor is made up of compacted earth, double-skinned tōtara walls were filled with clay to protect against bullets and the threat of fire. The roof was corrugated iron. Small holes in the walls were to enable rifle fire when under attack.

The Cameron blockhouse is typical of structures that were built in haste around the lower North Island at this time. Women and children – and if necessary those defending them – could withdraw upstairs and pull a ladder up behind them. Designed to withstand about 24 hours siege, fortunately the Cameron Blockhouse was never attacked.

Though untouched by war, John Cameron never saw his family after the war. When he came home he experienced some supernatural being in the house and wife and kids were missing. Locals say they see a candle lit every night in the Cameron Block House but no one is there when they check.
An episode of Supernatural was supposed to be filmed here, but something unspoken of happened and they canceled it!
 

The Cameron Blockhouse was restored by volunteers of the Regional Committee of the Historic Places Trust in 1990 after it had been used as a barn for many years.