Phoenix Shot Tower

Phoenix Shot Tower rises 234 feet (71 meters) high with red brick walls measuring 4.5 feet (137 centimeters) thick at the base and tapering to 21 inches (53 centimeters) at the top. The construction uses millions of bricks assembled into a solid cylinder.

The structure was built in 1828 as the tallest building in the United States and manufactured lead shot until closing in 1892. The function then shifted from industrial production to protected monument.

The basketball team Baltimore Bullets chose their name as a reference to this structure and its former role in ammunition production for the area. The tower today shows how industrial sites transform into civic landmarks.

The site sits near Shot Tower metro station in the Jonestown neighborhood and opens for scheduled guided tours. Visitors should favor warm weather as the visit involves climbing many steps.

The building manufactured spherical ammunition by dropping molten lead from the top through a sieve into cold water below, reaching a production of 100,000 bags per year. The height allowed the falling droplets to become perfectly round during descent.

Location: Baltimore

Official opening: 1828

Floors above the ground: 14

GPS coordinates: 39.29060,-76.60560

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:46