Initially, it was planned that semaphore stations would be established on the bell towers and domes of the island's churches, but the religious authorities rejected the proposal.

Due to this, in 1848 new semaphore towers were constructed at Għargħur and Għaxaq on the main island of Malta, and another was built at Ta' Kenuna in Nadur, Gozo.

[1] The semaphore system became obsolete with the introduction of the electrical telegraph, and all the stations in Malta were closed by the 1880s.

In World War II, the Għargħur Semaphore Tower was used as an observation vantage point by the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

The signalling equipment, consisting of a wooden pole with three movable arms, was located on the tower's roof.