It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a recognized symbol of the city.

To make the shot, molten lead was poured through a grate at the top of the tower.

The water cooled the lead to its solid state, retaining the spherical shape.

[2] The shot tower struggled almost immediately due to economic downturn from the Panic of 1857.

Tuckpointing and repairs soon followed, and in 2004, the Shot Tower became part of ongoing riverfront renovations.