Depicts tall tower and lower surrounding buildings from beyond yard, iron fence, and street. Also known as the Sparks Shot Tower, it was built in 1808., Title from photographer's manuscript note on verso., Gift of Margaret Odewalt Sweeney., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator
Wilson, G. Mark (George Mark), 1879-1925, photographer
Date
ca. 1923
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Wilson 150 [P.8513.150], http://www.lcpimages.org/wilson/wilson150.htm
Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2018., Textile shot bag. On the front of the bag in red letters: “Standard Drop Shot, T.W. Sparks, Philadelphia. 7.” An eagle in red is in the center. Inside the bag is a newspaper clipping, “A Brief History, Sparks Shot Tower.”, Opened in 1808 by Thomas Sparks and John Bishop, the 142 foot tall brick tower revolutionized the manufacture of ammunition. Gun shot was made by pouring lead from the top of the tower. The lead developed a round shape through falling and solidified in cold water at the bottom. Four generations of Sparks operated the tower until 1903 when it was sold to the United Lead Company. The City of Philadelphia bought the site in 1913.
Panoramic view showing several city blocks southeast from the State House at 520 Chestnut Street. Includes the 500 block of Walnut Street; Independence Square; the steeple of St. Peter's Church (300-340 Pine), and a distant view of Spark's shot tower near the Delaware River., Title from accompanying publisher's label., Yellow paper mount with square corners., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Newell, Robert, 1822-1897
Date
[ca. 1868]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Newell - Views [(3)1322.F.4h]
