| Sparks Shot Tower | |
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| Pennsylvania Historical Marker signification | |
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Sparks Shot Tower
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Location of Sparks Shot Tower in Pennsylvania
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| Location: | Carpenter & Front Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Built/Founded: | July 4, 1808 |
| Architect: | Thomas Sparks & John Bishop |
| Governing body/Owner: | Philadelphia Recreation Department |
| PA marker dedicated: | April 19, 1997 |
The Sparks Shot Tower is a historic shot tower located at 129-131 Carpenter Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Opened on July 4, 1808, it 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 year or so. It was built along the Delaware River waterfront at Front and Carpenter Streets by plumber Thomas Sparks, John Bishop, and James Clement.
The 142-foot (43 m) tall brick tower is 30 feet (9 m) in diameter at its base, tapering to 15 feet (5 m) at the top. Originally used to produce 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, which is now managed by the Philadelphia Recreation Department, is now surrounded by a public playground and can be seen from I-95.