Baltimore Phoenix Shot Tower

The Phoenix Shot Tower in Baltimore is a historic, round shot tower built from more than one million red bricks. At roughly 234 feet (71 meters) tall, it was the tallest building in the United States from 1828 to 1846. The tower was used to manufacture lead shot and produced an average of one million bags per year. After a severe fire in 1882 destroyed the interior, production continued until 1892. Today it is protected as a National Historic Landmark and is the only shot tower still standing in Baltimore. Its distinctive architecture and historical significance make it a special sight in the city.