The Shot Tower

Shot Towers were not uncommon in 19th century skylines. One of three in Baltimore was built on the corner of Fallsway and Fayette St. in 1828. The Phoenix Shot Tower Company of Baltimore constructed it without the use of scaffolding. Charles Carroll of Carrollton laid the corner stone. Molten lead was dropped from the top of the tower. As it fell, it formed balls. Water at the bottom would catch and cool the shot. The tower and surrounding plant was acquired by the Merchant's Shot Tower Company, who manufactured shot there until 1894. Union Oil bought the factory in 1921 with the intention of tearing it down and building a gas station in its place. Public outcry saved the tower, and the gas station was built along side it. In 1924 Union Oil gave the Shot Tower to the city. It was restored in 1976 and opened to the public as a museum.

Facts and Figures

Directions

Height: 215 ft.

Depth underground: 17 ft.

Wall thickness: 4.5 ft at street level, 20in at top

Weight on base: 6.5 tons per square foot

Number of bricks used: 1.1 million

From the Baltimore Beltway take either exit 11 onto I-95 north or exit 33 and head south on I-95.
Exit to the I-395 and follow onto Howard St. past Camden Yards.
Turn right onto Pratt St.
Turn left at President St. and right at Baltimore St. There is parking at the corner of High St.

Or take I-83 south into Baltimore.
Turn left on to Baltimore St.