The Phoenix Shot Tower was built in 1828 following the example of Englishman William Watt, who patented a shot-making process that involved pouring molten lead through colanders down the open shaft of a high tower. Built within six months during 1828 using one million bricks and no exterior scaffolding, the Tower was the tallest building in the country for two decades and was considered a marvel of modern construction.
Now one of Baltimore's most recognizable landmarks, the Tower functioned for several decades making drop-shot for pistols and rifles and molded shot for cannons. The top of the Tower is accessible only by prior arrangement, but several audio-visual exhibits offer visitors an entertaining way to learn about the operation and history of the Shot Tower, while informative panels around the base of the tower trace various aspects of the technology and uses of shot, as well as the successful 1924 efforts to preserve the tower.
