In 1808, Thomas Sparks, a plumber, built this tower to make musket balls and shot. Before this tower, munitions makers would use molds to form the spherical balls. But, apparently, if you drop molten lead 140 feet (or so), it will take on a spherical shape. Anything less than that would yield a tear-drop shape. For generations, the Sparks made ammunition in the tower. Today, it looms over a playground, baseball field, and newly-opened spray ground. And while the story of the shot tower is pretty unusual, the playground equipment is pretty standard.
Philly Playground Project (reviewed: 9/5/09)
Shot Tower Playground Facebook Page
Visited: March 2014
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