Sparks Shot Tower

Sparks Shot Tower is a brick structure on the Delaware River waterfront in South Philadelphia. The building stands 142 feet (43 meters) tall with a base diameter of 30 feet (9 meters) that narrows to 15 feet (4.5 meters) at the top.

The structure was built in 1808 under the direction of Thomas Sparks, John Bishop, and James Clement as an ammunition production facility. It supplied ammunition to the American military during the War of 1812 and later during the Civil War.

The manufacturing method used here was innovative, dropping molten lead through sieves to create ammunition efficiently. This approach replaced earlier handcraft techniques and shaped how ammunition production developed in America.

The structure now sits within a public recreation center with a playground and is visible from Interstate 95 at Carpenter Street. Its riverside location makes it easy to reach and readily spotted from the highway.

Four generations of the Sparks family operated the facility until 1903, making it the oldest standing industrial building in South Philadelphia. This longevity speaks to how family enterprises shaped early American manufacturing.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 39.93480,-75.14630

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:20