Sparks Shot Tower
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The Sparks Shot Tower, opened on July 4, 1808, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was one of the first shot towers in the United States, with the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower in Wythe County, Virginia possibly predating it by a few years. It was built along the Delaware River waterfront at Front and Carpenter Streets by Thomas Sparks, John Bishop and another partner.
The 142 foot tall brick tower has a 30-foot circumference at its base, tapering to 15 feet at the top. At the time of its construction it was the tallest building in Philadelphia. Originally used to produced shot for hunters, the tower produced ammunition during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
Four generations of the Sparks family kept the tower in operation until 1903. The City of Philadelphia bought the site in 1913. The tower is now surrounded by a playground and can be seen from I-95.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Shot Tower Playground
- http://www.ushistory.org/oddities/sparks.htm
- http://www.traphof.org/shot-towers-2/shot-towers-page-1.htm
- http://www.amusementparknostalgia.com/sparks.html
- Waymark
- Sparks Shot Tower is at coordinates Coordinates:
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