THE HISTORIC DUBUQUE SHOT TOWER

A brief summary of 150 years of Dubuque’s #1 icon, the Shot Tower, a Civil War landmark….

Constructed in 1856 to manufacture lead shot ammunition, the Shot Tower is one of only a few

remaining shot towers in the United States, and the only one west of the Mississippi River. The

120-foot Shot Tower produced lead shot from 1856-58, and then was closed. It was briefly

refurbished for use during the first year of the Civil War. It was used by the Standard Lumber

Company as a fire watchtower from the late 1880s until the company was destroyed in the 1911

lumberyard fire. The tower stood deserted in its post-fire ruin from 1911 to 1959. The 1911 fire

destroyed the original wooden stairs, leaving no ready means to access the tower interior for

maintenance and repairs. In 1960-1961, the tower was repaired using methods that are now

known to promote deterioration. Mayor Roy Buol declared 2006 as the Year of the Shot Tower

in recognition of the structure’s sesquicentennial.

The train that you see in this video was the longest train I have ever seen.  It had two engines in the middle of the train to help supply additional  power.

Enjoy your day and be careful.