Need a shot? Go to Iowa...

The Shot Tower, constructed in 1856, was designed to manufacture lead shot — small, spherical pellets used in shotguns. This tower was designed for the production of lead shot. Molten lead was poured from the top, and as it fell, it formed into spherical droplets which were cooled in a water basin at the base. Standing 120ft 5 in. tall, the tower's lower seven stories are constructed of Galena Dolomite stone, while the upper three stories are made of soft red brick. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a recognized symbol of Dubuque.

This type of tower played a key role in improving the efficiency and consistency of shot production during that time. The process involved pouring molten lead through a metal grate positioned at the top of the structure. As the liquid lead fell, gravity and surface tension caused it to form into nearly perfect spheres. These droplets cooled and solidified upon landing in a water basin at the base of the tower, preserving their round shape and uniform size.

Soon after its construction, the tower faced challenges due to the financial crisis triggered by the Panic of 1857. Economic instability limited its operation. Eventually, a company from St. Louis, Chadbourne & Co., acquired the tower located in Dubuque, though they never put it to use. Following the Civil War, the structure found a new purpose. The Standard Lumber Company repurposed it as a fire lookout tower, taking advantage of its height to monitor the surrounding area for signs of fire.

The tower’s operational life came to an end after a major setback in 1911. A series of fires, later determined to be acts of arson, devastated the local lumber industry and caused significant damage to the tower’s interior, which was primarily made of wood. No suspects were identified, and the tower was left unused for many years.