Queen Village in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shot Tower

Photographed By Don Morfe, March 11, 2015

1. Shot Tower Marker

Inscription. First in the nation. Built 1806 by Thomas Sparks and John Bishop to make hunting shot & symbolized a new U.S. industrial independence. Bishop, a Quaker, sold his share when ammunition was made here for the War of 1812. The Sparks family stayed in control until 1903.

Erected 1997 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 39° 56.088′ N, 75° 8.778′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Queen Village. Memorial is on Carpenter Street just west of Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Swedes' (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Summary of Mummery (about 600 feet away); Old Swedes' Church (about 600 feet away); Captain John Douglass (about 800 feet away); Gloria Dei Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named "Gloria Dei" Church

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(about 800 feet away); Catherine Hanson (about 800 feet away); The Colored Conventions: A Buried History (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed By Don Morfe, March 11, 2015

2. Shot Tower

Photographed By Don Morfe, March 11, 2015

3. Shot Tower

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.