Shot Tower

building, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A shot tower is a tall structure, typically around 200 feet high, used in the process of making shot. This process involves dropping molten lead from the top of the tower. As the lead falls, it forms into spherical droplets due to surface tension, and these droplets cool and solidify into shot before reaching the bottom.1

In Baltimore, Maryland, the Shot Tower is a historic building that stands 234 feet (71 meters) tall. It was constructed in 1828 and was used for the manufacturing of round shot. This tower is a notable landmark in the city's history.2

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Baltimore
The contemporary city
The Shot Tower (1828) is a 234-foot (71-metre) shaft once used to manufacture round shot. The Washington Monument (1829), a 178-foot (54-metre) Doric column, was designed by architect Robert Mills, who later designed the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Hampton National Historic Site, Aberdeen Proving Ground,…
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The Shot Tower (1828) is a 234-foot (71-metre) shaft once used to manufacture round shot. The Washington Monument (1829), a 178-foot (54-metre) Doric column, was designed by architect Robert Mills, who later designed the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Hampton National Historic Site, Aberdeen Proving Ground,…
Read More