Phoenix Shot Tower
The Phoenix Shot Tower, also known as the Old Baltimore Shot Tower, is a red brick shot tower, 234.25 feet (71.40 m) tall, located near the downtown, Jonestown (also known later as Old Town), and Little Italy communities of East Baltimore, in Maryland. When it was completed in 1828 it was the tallest structure in the United States.
Shot Tower | |
Phoenix Shot Tower | |
Location | Baltimore, Maryland |
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Coordinates | 39°17′26.6″N 76°36′19.7″W |
Built | 1828 |
NRHP reference No. | 69000373 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 1, 1969 |
Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Designated BCL | 1975 |
The tower was originally known as the "Phoenix Shot Tower", then the "Merchants' Shot Tower", and now is also sometimes called the "Old Baltimore Shot Tower". It is the only surviving shot tower among four that existed in Baltimore. The structure was designated a National Historic Landmark on November 11, 1971 and as a local Baltimore City Landmark on October 14, 1975.
The Shot Tower lends its name to the nearby Shot Tower/Market Place station on the Baltimore Metro subway system's northeast line. Additionally, the original Baltimore Bullets were named in honor of its role in producing shot, as was the team that is now known as the Washington Wizards.