How America’s First Ammunition Was Made: Jackson Ferry Shot Tower
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- How America’s First Ammunition Was Made: Jackson Ferry Shot Tower
The Shot Tower State Park in Austinville, Virginia represents a slice of our history dating back to the 1800s. We visited the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower to take a closer look at this unique structure and method for making ammunition. The park is more than just the shot tower though, as we found out in this video.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CHANNEL "REAL SHANE AND MELODY" at this link:
ua-cam.com/channels/fQS.html...
We would appreciate your like, comment and if you'd subscribe to the new channel, thank you!
CHECK OUT OUR NEW T-SHIRTS, HOODIES, COFFEE MUGS, STICKERS & MERCHANDISE AT:
real-appalachia.creator-spring.com
Follow us on Facebook at:
/ realappalachia
Follow us on TikTok at:
www.tiktok.com/@realappalachia
Follow us on Instagram at:
real_appalachia
Follow us on Twitter at:
appalachianpro1
Thanks to our patrons!!!
Leland Morris
MattyB83
David and Judy Winton
Nathan Keesecker
Michael Rudnick
Stephen G Morris
Penny Wright
Glenn Farnham
Jarrod Mitchell
Spooky Appalachia
Jennifer Timmons
Joe Grassi
Uncle Ben
Holly Willis
Mia
John Perdue
Rene Tetron
Tiffany Carlson
Julian Frasier
Carol Simmons Smith
William Martin
Ronald Tirrachia
Tracy Bosier
Tabitha Buckles
Joey Snider
Pam Broderick
Madhu Kollu
Susan Burrows-Rangel
James Lagan
Keith and Donna Timmons
Gregory Lewis
Eric Peck
George Sawtooth
Will Simmons
Chris Jurkowski
Rob Crotts
Christian Williams
Ghyontonda Mota
David L. Mullins
Joe Sullivan
Audrey Welch
Angela Smith
Andrew DeLong
Matthew Coon
Steve Surber
Wayne Maynard
Brian Serway
Jessica Rodrigues
George McNair
Bill Whitworth
Mike Adams
Shawn Hannah
Brad & Angela Davis
Michael Genecki
Kara Wyatt Rasnake
Jonathan Gartland
Karen Caddle
Andrew Diseker
Carol Wilder
Kimberly Carr
Dee Simmons Alban
Bill Seward
Daniel Armstrong
Thanks to these wonderful donors!!!
HS Serry
Denis Frauenhofer
David Hurst
Michael Cantrell
Richard Sitler
Brian Robinson
Sara Bella
Vern Weller
Earl Spratley
Steve from SC
Christopher Branham
Brenda Bray
James Gould
Steve Beatrice
Brenda Lane
Boyd Breece
Charlie Smith
Chelsea M. Jackson
Nancy Greever Brooks
Shelly Fenley
Brian Robinson
Betty Antoine
Christopher Moore
Kathleen Burnett
David McCray
David House
Randy and Dena Key
John Nielson
R. Parks Lanier, Jr.
Larry Allen
Ryan Farmer
Iris Lee Underwood
Vicki Murphy
Virginia Martin
Anne Wagner
Jim Peck
Anonymous
Heather Lovasz
Patti Dibble
Christopher Moore
Mark P Gholson
Teresa Dalton
AJ Wallace
Josh Taylor
Barbara Awbrey
William Mills
Robert Morgan
Chris Coleman
Chelsea Jackson
Logic Milkbone
Dana Lynch
Robert Hill
Jerry Murphy
You can support our mission with a one-time PayPal donation to:
appalachianproject16@gmail.com
Cash App to:
$sssimmons1070
or monthly by becoming a patron at:
www.patreon.com/Appalachia
You can send an email with any questions or comments to:
realappalachia1@gmail.com
Our NEW mailing address is:
PO Box 2151
Abingdon, VA 24212
I have visited this tower right off I-77 on the way to North Carolina. I was amazed that the tower was still as solid as the day it was built. It is a big part of Virginia's early history. You were looking at New River. Thank you for this piece of some very interesting history. Stay safe on the road and warm.
Thank you, Judy!!
Very cool I never get enough American history 🇺🇲
Thank you!
I have visited this tower since 1970. I was amazed it was still standing and in good shape! 👍
I love that shot tower on I 77! I’ve been past it many times! Nice coverage, you two.
Thank you so much, Dean
That's the New River Trail, once a railroad bed. I've ridden my bike the full 50+ miles from Pulaski to Fries/Galax and back in the same day. Awesome bike ride!
You all were just about a 5 minute drive from my house. The shot tower is definitely a piece of Americana. Go several miles up the road there are some furnaces that they used back then to make shot and transported it by rail.
It is such a cool area to see, so much history and cool houses there
To make the lead, that later became the shot probably.
I grew up in neighboring Pulaski county in the 1950's and 60's. Visited there several times. I remember when as kid the adults discussed making ammo for Civil War. But not documented.
SIGNIFICANT DATES
Year Event
1756 Colonel John Chiswell discovers lead at "Lead Mines" (now Austinville, Virginia)
1760 Colonel William Byrd builds Fort Chiswell
1762 Fincastle County formed with Lead Mines as the county seat
1775 "Fincastle Resolutions" written
1780 Austin brothers take over mine operations
1781 Thomas Jackson emigrates to America (1781-1783)
1789 Stephen and Moses Austin purchase the mines
1800 Austin brothers depart for Missouri
1806 Thomas Jackson buys lead mines and forms partnership with David Pierce
1808 Construction of shot tower begins
1812 Shot tower completed
1824 Death of Thomas Jackson
1839 Production of shot at Jackson Ferry shot tower ceases
1929 Shot tower presented to the Stuart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, by descendants of the Raper family
1952 Shot tower title acquired by the Lead Mines Ruritan Club
1964 Shot tower and surrounding land deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia Division of State Parks to establish the Shot Tower Historical State Park
I first visited the shot tower on a 4th grade field trip back in about 1971. I don't know if they let you climb up to where the balcony is anymore, but back then we got to. I found it fascinating that they collected the shot from the bottom of the shaft by going through a tunnel from the riverbank.
Just down the road they have restored the old Inn At Foster Falls and it should be opening soon as the first inn in the park system. It's a beautiful old building and should make for a great place for riders on the NRT to stay.
This brought back a lot of memories for me. When I was a child, this was a summer trip every year. Before it became a state park, it was just a field on a farmer’s land with cows. One time, I had on flip flops and stepped right into a cow patty. 😂😂 We took our son when he was young several times. I’ve been inside of it but never to the top. I’m too afraid of heights.
I’m so glad it brought back good memories!! Minus the cow patty! Haha (sorry, I’m pretty sure I’ve done that before too!) - Melody
I have been by that place a few times never have stopped yet. Thank you both for sharing. Cheers
Thank you!
I was there on a field trip with school & have been there many times over the years. If it wasn't for all the noisy traffic on I-77, it would be a beautiful space for picnics, etc. I've been to the top even though I'm scared to death of heights! I must've been trying to impress someone! Lol! Hugs & blessings from VA!
Sometimes I talk myself into checking out the heights too! Haha I wish it had been open that day because that would’ve been one of those times! Beautiful views!! - Melody
Enjoyed this! Very interesting and informative! Love the history! Very beautiful area also! Thanks you 2 ..God bless 🙏❤
That is so cool! Thank you Shane and Melody!
Thank you, Robin
the shot drops at least TWICE the height of the tower. beneath ground level, is a tunnel dug incredibly deep (as tall as the tower). at the bottom of the tunnel shaft was the cauldron of water that caught the shells, maintained their shape from the fall, and cooled them and locked em in their shape as the molten metal cooled during the air drop to the water. the air drop and g-forces actually "shaped" the shell as it fell, into its perfect aerodynamic shape. my father is from sw va, would take us every summer during the early 70s on our way from nc to the va hills. this was well before the super highway opened, only way to travel was the old winding roads, which added all kinds of mystery to the minds of small boys that loved this national treasure.
Very well said and thanks for the information update and clarity. 👍😊
I drove by a hundred times. I couldn't stop. Thank you
I know that feeling
Nice view 🥰
I have been here many times. It is amazing.
Been there and by there Proud to be close to home.
I love structures made of stone. Very scenic location. Interesting ferry history as well. Enjoyed the stop here!
Quite a fantastic view from the tower.
Glad you visited. I always miss the exit on my way north from NC.
We used to hold a living history there in the nearby campground back in the 90s.
I parked at a little truckstop along the interstate and walked to the shot tower. Wouldn't you know it was closed the day I was there. There is a log cabin on the road to the shot tower I would love to know the history behind, and also see the inside. I walked up the New River Trail and came to Foster's Falls, which I had never known was there, until a local farmer told me about it. Foster Falls was really a cool place to visit! The ranger there told me I should visit the Shot Tower, but that I couldn't that day, because the grounds were closed. I didn't tell him I had already been on the grounds and had taken pictures and examined it as best I could! Sorry Ranger, but the statute of limitations is LONG past! Beautiful area! I always looked for the shot tower and that log cabin every time I drove by.
We loved that log cabin too but couldn’t find any facts on it! - Melody
Very fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
I’d like to go back in time and actually watch it being built.
Now that would be something to see!
Wow been rt by there 1000 times and never knew it was there!!!! Thx guys. So cool
We go past the tower every time we go to NC.
I've been to the top a couple times, but that was back in the day!
I remember visiting a shot tower from the Civil War in Dubuque, Iowa. Fascinating building.
I think there is a very large mansion, visible from I-81 there at Chiswell. If you ever get a chance to educate us about it.
Shot was basically the ammunition before bullets were invented.
it's a fun ride coming across that river high up on 77 on a good windy day while driving a big box truck, I've seen that place a bunch and was curious so I had to google it and find out what it was, thanks for the video you guys.
I’ve been by the shot tower quite a few times, but one time working in Raleigh a bad snowstorm hit and people were driving down 77 through Virginia flying because Virginia had salted the roads and North Carolina had not done anything. There was 100pileups soon as they hit the North Carolina line solid it was a sheet of ice
Wow this is awesome!
Great History !!!!!
Thank you!
I love to watch what you do
Very Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Daniel!!! You are much appreciated, our friend! - Melody
Shot is still made the same way today if you were to visit the Remington ammo plant for example. Its mostly made by melting down car batteries for the lead now tho. Antimony and Tin are added to the lead in small amounts to get the lead just right hardness, etc. in bullets and I believe in shot as well.
Awesome video,Thank you
Thank you!
Thanks so much to you both for giving this video a shot even though you were freezing! 😀
Seriously though, this was a wonderful introduction to a very historic (not to mention very pretty) area.
Now I wish I could invite you into a cozy log cabin with a blazing fireplace and treat you both to hot coffee and 1830 cornbread and butter to get some circulation back into your toes and fingers. (The things you do for your subscribers! Bless you both!)
Man that sounds amazing! I wish we could’ve stopped in for a visit! Thank you!! - Melody
Great. Your cold was not in vain.
Ah thanks good video, there is a shot-tower near here in Chester Uk, it was built for the Napoleonic wars so I know a bit about them.
That is a stunning example you have there, great to see it in good order still. I really like the limestone block masonry & I wonder what the 'R' inscribed in the lintel above the door was?
Again thanks, Appalachia looks awesome.
We discussed the same thing about the R on the door and couldn’t come up with an answer. We would love to travel to the UK someday to see the similarities and differences
A short 2 mile walk down the New River trail to my Mom's house!
Awesome!!
How did theu stack that block
So this is what Bob Dillion. and Jimmy Hendrix was singing about lol :)))))
dylan
jimi
Shotgun shot is still made in much the same way.
Thank. You for your videos I love how youse explain the history of everything