Shot Tower Calendar History
_..... -..
SATURDAY.ApRIL1,2008
.. FOCUS'ON YOUTH
DD Focus ON YOUTH
'Calendar project will celebrate Shot Tower.
1W.lor~IIO":ln2t105,.se",.. ....... from the SbotToweI. TbeiI ~loundolherpeo lelnthe Gres Ma, of One Step rect bit from a runaway traLD'
1I1't1.lltudvtrr aml INCIM" at Clnlrll VI! been'
Thecitylandmark tllllAltetnluvel standlngwesl nfthe Milli.. hirtorlcstnu:t\lll!tbatwu'f'!/ry ~ooc:n,::'IIt:~:n:d: SChool Student learns ancestor towers o'''er CIty boU'::.".:b~U:'.
HlllhScbnol, . s!SRlver. ,mportlntdurlll1lcmrcltyl ~=L~"'._'_"_, ....
Is about to somethlnll ,thlnprlnlfnrtho! earlyhlslory. -"",.,,,,, UJ ."..,..........,.
I b. I\appened 10 lS0thb!rthday,theclty I am very proud to say that ""Dub .117-foothut0rk41 withe Central High lin It"' l!l:o.o-.l u.. b"lIt Ihr. ~ .-- dltalI
cee rate ItS me before I ofDubuql1l!wWundertakea lhe dtt"proc1amallon all" lGIuImarl:butltlnJB!Wth4t FOIUtbStft',,'E......to'llM21.! ---------.-. ~
150th anniversary ~:~:er:'\~I; .' ~1~letebLllldIQgrebb.lIlIB: i::~"~hi~t~,1~'C\U:: :::.rodUC8dlltUllhDtlUld ~=e senior learns :;~~~I:l4ltll.~'~ BaI.8111
&llrD,""o~:'n2005,"". Shot Towe. ThllwUlbelheonlyrer.atr ventlonaodVlsllor'lSLlfeBU emrmfso1llfJlnJproJtctbz- Ituden about his family's no.ay(.."f~(18671Ilnd .=,~~.o__
.",lmuunrsIlMlI4Ch.r,ot clu", I wal worltdonetothetowerince BndCenlralAlIernl.tlveH:t.: ~writi IJIIdpublishlnJa .boutt .,llustrious past 1l1ltolotWllolUQr,tQu.' 11 __HI&"
DIlbgqlll'leenll'GlAlllrlllUi1ll uked 10 Bt....... 1991,.menBnmBwaytnlncar SCblXlI, will celebra'e' e ..t.:.G..,v..."-dhj~hllndiIP~_
Hlch Sd.IHlJ - b bed 0 , .-rI "vefyH"nl Dubuq..... ...11e'1 """""PIIU_
[~~/ 0 nnteer e pS with tower proiect :;W'U~dn"er ~~~~I;:;::~~::l~: ~r.t~:.
.....c:nu..o .. ~q'::~~"}~ aOOwlhPwmudl",utllw.w.. ;:;;:a..,:
~€ ~~~ ~~~~~~ai~ ~ 8 ~~jt~~r~~~~Y~;:!~:~:~~~~~ ~~~~=]~:~~;~~~~;~b:r~. ~l~;,; ~1m5~S ~f:.
t;r..II;:::~~~' the Shot Tower .....~ ~:~~~'lyll';~~~~?/t:e~~:;.~~ 'il~veb..jnfiPi~mydal'_ 1:='Sho~'~ ~~~~-,Gr.""AoCOm :"::~~-
....lIm'anI"'" .,......_ '. ;.. .. nf'utlal efrl)t!$ af our eil .~ mat" and wllb bjl B<:nW'C1 C1~CM!ftd H'1I1 hl.t. f 11'Il....11'<&
.~"'.."." ~.:..'.'""W.H'." b.~ T. ~~~~~~:l~~J::~: Central students explore Shot Tower
S~~tt~e;~.i: :.n~~I~~~hlOd~~~ .............._ priatt' sin ~nd .thaPf!
who deserves rt'colDition, it .cti"ify, lhe conlaCf period of community, ..nd IlI"'J
e DR\' Simon. Uav.. E\.IIO e...n discover. Ihe sub. other ,hUI' IOW!!'1 thO!
2006: Year of the Shot Tower
60
uuinR lh
11 re~e.
,"1 euvt'
tin findi
h.llu.hul
d for $h
r tile Sho
862 My
~ old Unl
own lbe
me, I b.
They will research
the Dubuque
landmarI< and write
a book.about it
...--
Ttt lItaH ..."tM
wclal studll'& t!!'.rher Jobn
Adelmann IlOd f:R<<iM 'eKMr
Tim Ebeling in the eftou.
Lalit we<'k, students vioUted
Loru CoUete'S Center for Hi.s.
tory 10 meel hitlorlan and ClI-
ralor Mike Gibson.
Gibson, a Dubuque blscorv
burt. lhowe-d the .roup rare
Dubuque r&eWapaper cUpp-inlP'
and photo..
NTheM at'e prlmar
materials you
wh.fe' elu
GlbltOD
-, jusII
Past Central projects
.
s..-tmll stud_nil at
Dubuque'. Central Allern.eM:
Hip School have 14unc.Md .
rM"~C:=l or the Shot
TtJwrer, '10 1l7.foothD.
tork" I.ndmadt buUl'n 1856
~7Jf'tl.A~oII:lon
....,-
1Me~1UaAftC_"'_
Ol.s.;,....Ch P<"oj<<1 .witt !Oen1l~
~Jf)<iA'iIUMlf\lll,an
Semn'>1II'
:aooo 0lbuQutt eMS <<WI'
200S T.......... AA"......
ltll&eo;ll"ctlPn)Jela ..111
~nI.littJeltockN'"
R-.n:t\ P>ajec1. cn::l S<<tli.....
TanRAPH HERALD
SATURDAV, MARCH 26
Focus ON YOUTH
',;'):t'Y.'
"' '.--/"? ~,Z.;. ,'..-/',"'.....'/~ .,.-;.. ;;
;1~.'
Question: Who built
Shot Tower, when?
BdUDr's 110": S<<""ral sm- and the places left to I
"-tits Q.I Dubuq.,.', Omu.l AI~ IIMWen are the very
t~rnalilN HiB" Sdwol IuI" reach. For example. the
JaunclNd a I"8U4rch project 0/ 1bwer'. arcbeoIosY (bow It
1m. Shot _ />ubuquo's 11"1- built) _ ........ dotIp
Joot historical _ brUIt _ Why hun' It r.uen
in 1856 rluuoncel1fOt1llMca;llMll Ionl8ID and what's
.hot and bul_ n..projocrltl- upl"
"'.... wrlrinIJ and P"l>IWtUtr 0 Jim's busln_ 10 called .
book abou, n", IOWflr. tory Pays. . So 1 ubd him.
Is history pine to pay for
of UI dolaa lIte-..:ll
Shot Tower not
only used for
making shot
Students thankful
forth
TELEOR"'''IHEIlAU)
SATUIlOAV,MAV 7, 2005
What does the Shot Tower stand for?
"
u-
"
Structure has violent
past but has helped
Dubuque become
what it is today
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(:ould u", S.....' od....""'.'Iot..uwboJ...tw.nllNl ".I.ln......'ns~:a...wh.lnli ~.."lr_6oM.......,IOIr"lpsll.
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could be.... b......... ""......_..'Inn....vIoIe<KrMlod mod",II_'..TbeSbOll_.'wu ....rl_nhPnomIO......'''l.,ooby.
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du"",il..C1oUW... T""~_T..___.I_""a"'" ""'"' buill I.. I ~~ or 0.....'" 110....... ,".Ur..Klnl; 0'" .....""'.. ."d
Q.......Ion:wh.,.boul 'bedr fIom......,""""'""_/oIoll>rkpois.. .r/'ftboI....lollPfIa',.IIJUCu......... ,",1."'''IO'arow
September 2006 October 2006 December 2006 January 2007
November 1 2
1 2 1 2 . . . 6 7 . . . 6 7 8 . 2 . . . 6
. . . 8 7 8 . 8 8 ,. 11 12 13 14 ,. 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 8 . ,. 11 12 13
,. 11 12 13 14 15 16 115 18 17 1819 20 21 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
17 18 19 2. " 2223 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2006 .. 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 .. 25 26 27
.. 215 28 .7 .8 .. 30 29 30 31 31 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Election Day Veteran's Day
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Thanksgiving
26 27 28 29 30
.We're KomI to be ,p.r.ndlng
/I h)( of UMt! out of ClaM in lhe-
n~ld ~c.aUH' th..t's wb.ere tbe
inknmllltton ~"n be ntd,
Glbaon took nole of the ~Ill'
den,,' erlothU"I...m dUJinl lhetr
Vlsn (0 Lora&,
Nlf we CiUl JUIl set . hook
lntoottM-m .1 u early -ae.N be
said" "'Thl'y're the history
makers.-
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
f
.,'>
.; .~ .
~"
1& ;~~
I ?""k'
11/15/1991 - RunaW:y rail,... ~.. r smashes
into Shot Tower causing $1 . . in
damage. I #;i
11/18/1856 - Dubu~ Expl'S:' ~ Herald
reports that George Rogers :.. Y red shot
of various sizes from the Sh. u' er.
~~.;;:;~;
q?i~;1
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-
Dubuque from the Illinois shore, circa 1850.
Center for Dubuque History, Laras College
..
December 23,1854
Dubuque Express & Herald
reports: George W. Rogers &
Co. "declare war" on local gun
dealers. Thus begins the
process which will lead to the
construction of the Shot Tower.
.
March 3, 1855
City of Dubuque agrees to
transfer riverfront property to
James Langworthy for
improvement work.
.
February 13, 1856
George W. Rogers & Co. take
out mortgage with Dubuque
Harbor Improvement Co., using
Shot Tower property as
collateral.
.
March 7,1855
The Dubuque Harbor Improvement
Co. is incorporated: Alfred
McDaniel, Lucius H. Langworthy,
Lincoln Clark, Thomas S. Wilson,
James L. Langworthy, C.J.
Cummings, Joseph Ogllby,
Alexander Anderson, Timothy
Fanning, James M. March,
Benjamin F. Woods, Solon M.
Langworthy.
.
April 25, 1856
City of Dubuque transfers Shot
Tower property to James
Langworthy, et.al.
,
October 2006
November 2006
December
2006
January 2007
February 2007
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 a 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 456
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
,
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Winter Begins
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
SIW [jow<< ~
~
150 ~!
Christmas
31
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
12/1/1949 - State Hist~cal~Society's monthly
journal, The Palimps~, features article on
the Shot Tower. I fit
I .
IIif
~
I "'t
1
I ~
~
0 ~ C
-
,
12/17/1856 - George W. Rogers & Co.
advertise their patent shot in the Dubuque
Express & Herald. " ,;
12/23/1854 - Dubuque Express .&lHera/d
reports George W. Rogers & Co:'"declare
wa( on other local gun dealers. III .,
II
12/24/1856 - Dubuque Express & Herald
reports that the ShoJ:.Tower is opeQ for
business and "now Pl'epared to.fill;!!' orders fl
shot, from buckshollo #20 at neillly SI. Louis
prices." - ..
12/25/1949 - Dubuque Girl Scout~' propose to
plant shrubbery around Shot Tower base.
,"'r f";. . ~L":_ "I
N " ,. " ...."" *11> "
Express & Herald. December 23, 1854
..
August 20, 1856
Shot Tower construction
underway with an expected
completion date of October
1856.
An unsigned and undated oil painting of the Shot Tower's location.
Center for Dubuque History, Loras College
.
September 27, 1856
Dubuque Daily Republican
reports that the nearly-completed
shot tower will be 150 ft. tall.
.
November 12,1856
Dubuque Daily Republican
reports George W. Rogers & Co.
Shot Tower nearly ready for
business.
.
October 10, 1856
Dubuque Daily Republican
reports dimensions of the Shot
Tower as 150 ft. tall, 25 ft.
square at the base, 10ft. square
at the top. Lower 105 ft. built
from stone and the top 45 ft. built
from brick. Total cost of
construction: $12,000.
November 2006 December 2006
1 2
12343456789
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 11 12 13 14 15 18
12 13 14 HI 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 28 27 28 29 30
28 27 28 29 30 31
Januarv
2007
February 2007
March 2007
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
New Yea~s Day
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
,
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30 31
28
.
November 18, 1856
Dubuque Shot Tower begins to
produce shot for the first time.
Dubuque Express & Herald
reports start of production as
"First Shot From Tower."
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
1Jh
'W
:tif
1/9/1862 - Dubuque Daily Tif71f1s reports an
accident at the Silot Tower inju7es an
h ",
employee when too ".luch shot is stored on tt
main floor of the flnishing room and it gives
way. I'
1
I ,~
1/16/1993 - Telegraph Herald reports Shot
Tower is designated as a municipal historic
landmark. ~ 1 . ..
- .~
1/27/1858 - Riverfro~l propertyis\ubdivided
and recorded; Shot rower parcells
designated as Lot 24. Block 7. t !'.1'"
..
~~
. ~;:"'~
"-... .>'!!
lil'-I!l':""
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"'~
II
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v
3,,'.1. ,
.lit/wi (,
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Plat map showing Shot
Tower property, Block
7, Lots 22, 23 & 24.
Dubuque County Historical
Society
Shot Tower property as it appeared around the time of the subdivision in 1857.
Center for Dubuque History, Loras College
..
November 26,1856
Dubuque Express & Herald
describes Shot Tower as "150 ft.
tall with g stories, 35 windows
and a cost of nearly $7,000."
.
December 12,1856
In the Dubuque Express &
Herald, George W. Rogers &
Co. advertise their patent shot
for the first time since production
began.
.
May 4,1857
Dubuque City Council approves
the subdivision of the riverfront
property.
.
March 7,1857
Dubuque Harbor Improvement
Co. acquires Shot Tower and
accompanying property from
James Langworthy, et. al.
.
January 27, 1858
Riverfront property subdivided
and recorded. Shot Tower
parcel designated Lot 24,
Block 7.
December 2006 January 2007
1 2
3456789 123456
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1415 16 17 18 19 20
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 21 22 23 24 25 26 21
31 28 29 30 31
februarv
2007
March 2007
April 2007
12.
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 2 345 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
Groundhog Day
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 , 13 14 15 16 17
Lincoln's Birthday Valentine's Day
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Presidents' Day Washington's
Birthday
25 26 27 28
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
2/1/1874 - Dubuque DailJ(il1;e~ reports an
equestrian statue of Andrew Ja(:I<son was
mysteriously placed atop the S Tower.
HiI
I
-t~
.;-1lI';
I ~
2/11/1953 - Telegraph Herald reports Dubuque
Beautification Committee recommends sealin9 the
Shot Towe~s lower openings, installing a roof and
completing an engineering survey. I'
I ~ ~
2/13/1856. George W. Rogers & YO, takes out
mortgage with Dubuque Harbor lr1Jprovement Co.
with Shot Tower and planned improvements as
collateral.
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J.K. Graves
j/,'N(/I(;/{,''''il0- a, c7- J,{ jJl,,;t/tk.J
(~.u':t('l'ft.unt dntf)
Shot Tower bought by Gilbert Woodruff, March 14, 1860. :Ji:&d fr' ~'U- n/I rUM> f: d~L /,7'""Wt'" dati #r/;',.r4;;d~tf-:'~d
r/"I'~d ('I''''''~f /1t7,II1'7 ~~~ l'''~.y jY;I;/U'~f: &J,nb.'~'7' 9h'iT,y:,f'~, /~ :"~~
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( 7 J f+l, C<'?'1d., r ~~. .".I".--:t-;,{,L'___ ~".,..#'...~ a_.~,..um "Nu~. "'/~
James Hughes 1863
advertisement for shot.
Dubuque County Historical Society
..
March 26, 1859
Peleg Tallman & Lincoln Clark
test new machinery in Shot
Tower, anticipating production to
soon begin.
January 2007 February 2007
123456 123
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1415 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
28 29 30 31 25 28 27 26
Shot Tower sold to J.K. Graves the next day.
.
April 14, 1859
Shot Tower said to be under the
supervision of Peleg Tallman
and Lincoln Clark. They appoint
W.H. Daniels as foreman; he is
the only Shot Tower employee
ever to be mentioned by name.
.
February 13, 1860
Dubuque Express & Herald runs
ad for Marshal's auction of
George W. Rogers & Co.'s Shot
Tower, Lot 24, Block 7.
.
March 14, 1860
Shot Tower property sold at front
door of Dubuque County
courthouse to Gilbert Woodruff
for $1,653.
March
2007
April 2007 May 2007
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 345
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
29 30
27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 , 13 14 15 16 17
SI. Patrick's Day
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Spring Begins
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
.
March 15, 1860
Gilbert Woodruff sells Shot
Tower property to J.K. Graves
for $1,200. Eight months later,
J.K. Graves purchases Lots 22
and 23 from Dubuque Harbor
Improvement Co. for $5,450.
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
3/3/1855 - City of Dubuque agrees to transfer
riverfront property to llames Langworthy for
. t k ~ }..
Improvemen wor .. . .
JiiJ
fif,
3/7/1857 - DubuqUEj'H~rboI I~provement Co.
acquires property from James Langworthy.
I · I
- '~l'
I ~~
3/14/1860 - Shot Tower property (Lot 24)
sold at front door of Court House to Gilbert
Woodruff for $1,653, who sells it to J.K.
Graves the next day,for $1,200.
It
3/22/1960 - Save Our Shot Tower campaign
raises $6,848 to make improt-ements to Shot
Tower. - ~"~,;,
~~
iE. ~J.'t
== ~;. .'~
~ ~ ~
3/26/1859 . Morning Star reports;Tallman and
-t-"...".,..
Clark are testing new machinerY in,the Shot
TnlAlt:lor '=In'; tno:::lt nrnnl r,.tinn \A1i11'~n~n nt:lonin
e
VIEW OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Center for Dubuque History, Loras College
1858 lithograph by w.J. Gilbert.
Center for DUbuque H;story, Loras College
.
May 24,1861
J.K. Graves reports that shot
production will resume as soon
as the flooding subsides.
Salesman's "Lead Wheel" displays different size
of shot made at Dubuque Shot Tower.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
September 12,1861
J.K. Graves contributes an
extensive display of shot
produced at the Shot Tower at
the annual County Ag Fair.
,
..
April 24. 1861
Severe flooding in Dubuque all
along the Mississippi River
stops production of shot at the
Shot Tower for nearly two
months.
J.K. Graves purchases a large
American flag to be hoisted atop
the Shot Tower upon the first
Union victory of the Civil War.
.
May31.1861
Graves' American flag is hoisted
on a staff atop the Shot Tower.
At 160 ft., it is reported to be the
highest flying flag in the state of
Iowa.
.
July 15.1861
Dubuque Daily Times runs a
woodcut advertisement for the
Shot Tower.
February 2007 March 2007
May 2007 June 2007
Aori I
2007
12345 12
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Palm Sunday
Daylight Savings Good Friday
Time Begins
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Easter
15 16 , 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
lIf
I
'i
· iiI~
4/12/1861 - Civil War begiilisnhen
Confederates fire.on Fort Sumter.
I '
4/14/1859 - Dubuque'Daily'Herafd describes
shot production at Shot Tower. Foreman W.H
Daniels is the only Shot Tower employee ever
to be identified. I .
- ~
j t
,
4/24/1861 - Dubuque Daily Times reports
flooding hinders production at Shot Tower.
- :).,
4/25/1856 - City of Dubuque transfers propert:
, \~.
to the Dubuque Harbor Improvement Co.
E ~"".
= ~A'
_ ..'t
p
A HUNDRED SHOT TOWERS. - The day before
yesterday, Messrs. Chadbourne & Forster, of St. Louis,
paid $3,000 for the Dubuque Shot Tower, for the purpose
of having a troublesome rival out of the way. Although
they promised to expeod $5,000 on it and set it at work,
in order to pacify many dissatisfied business men in the
city, they of course do not intend to do any such thing.
No, they privately inform their agents that they intend to
board up the windows, takc out the machinery, lock the
door and throw the key into the river. Rather than have
another sack of shot made io Dubuque, said they, we will
put a keg of powder under the tower and blow it higher
than Gilderoy's kite. The next day after the purchase was
completed and the property transferred, the wholesale
price of shot, throughout the entire North.West,
advanced twenty-five cents per sack. Chadbourne &
Forster manufacture a thousand sacks per day. The
recent advance in price puts $250 per day into their
pockets, and in twelve days they have made enough to
pay for the Dubuque shot tower. So they can afford to
blow it up and not feel the loss.
Dubuque Daily Herald, July 27, 1862
.
July 14,1862
Shot Tower is sold by J.K.
Graves to the St. Louis shot-
making firm Chadbourne &
Forster for $3,000. Despite
promises to keep the Shot
Tower operational, Chadbourne
& Forster remove the equipment
and close the tower.
co
~C-~~_._.
DUBUQUE:.
Looking up through interior of the Shot Tower.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
..
January 9, 1862
An accident occurs at the Shot
Tower when the main floor of the
finishing room gives way,
injuring one employee.
.
March 19, 1862
Shot Tower reported to be at
"full production," turning out
100-150 sacks of shot per day.
.
July 13,1862
A local boy steals a chunk of
arsenic from the Shot Tower,
takes it home and throws it in
the garden. After dinner, he
discovers his father's plants are
dead.
March 2007 April 2007
Mev
2007
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2223 24 25 26 27 28
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 , 15 16 17 18 19
Mother's Day
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
1231234561
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30
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.It>L/"'n~ {'~/"'''f~/6!Pn,..Ub;' "'h~P"""L- d- ~""..~ ...,....,..r,_,~TC
)f;~!'P~'-/ /ind dyf,*,d- /,,{'-A.::ud;:fi~"_~'" AjI'AN'''r,t'h-djN-/.d.
l'.h'H'~. ~hJ~P#NJN~;1L-f..tf(7H""',tf~; .tt51.,,~/ho:!'fUd J;,,,y 4
c1i"'''~4 {{j..''':.~''r1#y.w:''A''J _g;.,...d)/&-ri7"""..ut>Y' 4 .~..t___.
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IXf':.d d':'E'n~,"~/ "-7' Y' ,;7"1' of'S $7/1... ;?;,
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V.,/U;4ls.,,~~' ~. f l,:/r,(m.J C/tt; ?;;...J.J
G' '~-I-" ,.,c. (J,r!~' -
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1..4 ,.)110<' d -to t'.t"'-1"/i~./Z~""..~y, ,/.:_? ....,..I/.~, d,'/ /,6:u.o/
</.~7 t,; tp,"u> ~A- ,,';//.A... J,(' ~"4 &_'# :7:.""-
47',Uy;"t/;d, u..':t'L 1.tf~4;'t..b rAJa.&"';.J./n~~~'~~;,;(-w,,,,,
<.pd n... an '-"'J'MtU..,:k"" .z/ta~oI 71"'....,/,7. tz.,,(,u:d~,z;,
'(j~ Q.,..u:...t7~ f"lr--"J"""t<I' u,....d__ t%l14J!..".,:'Jt(~ (/--~4- 6/_
"/t"o.t-r- ;:to! .,tI~-4'''.4.e G:./o-4. UI4'-'...,.... ~~<~-L- ~"'r..r;,.,../f: "'".
(~n..t (!"NUr"'/J;~"l ~rm~II4''''''',/&.-.J.. r,("".-L4.t._.Pt..
,1YJ1';'14~ ~~rdA"',,(, Y'1UJt.<;i.~1"~ J~d d~:t;, ~:y.D.M--~...r;rh"l'-'
""';;-P'h I 1/ ~ -..... f f'J <:,1;;&,.. ,
{A",; rv-rdA7 t?k.M", fiJ,f...~
.-<~.., ...& ~,.~-'/
J.K. Graves sells Shot Tower to Chadbourne & Forster.
.
July 21, 1862
J.K. Graves begins experiments
to make shot by dropping lead
down a 130 ft. mine shaft.
June 2007 July 2007
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
51411857 - City of Dubuque approves subdivision 0
riverfront property. W,
~
iii'
5/11/1881 - C.J. Lesure purchas.. roperty,
including Lots 22, 23 & 24 of Block 7, for $425.
I
J
l
J
~
]
-
l
5124/1861. J.K Graves purchases a large
American flag to be hoisted atop the Shot Tower to
celebrate the first Union victory of the Civii War.
5/27/1911 - Dubuque Telegraph Hera/dreports
fire at Standard Lumber Co. destroys the Shot
Tower's watchtower and internal wooden stairs.
.
LAFLIN & RAND POWDER CO.,
(;llll PO'li.'dcr J/(lIl1~/tldlt/'('rs. alld f)calcrs Ii, SllOl (lilt! (;Ul/ (llPS,
NO. e.e .MAIN RTREE'l.', DUBUQUE, IO"W'"A.
"
/JUhli1'U,
/87
'.
0'1 ~hilll!td. I" .~f'(Jd (lrdcr.Uld ((mdill~JJI. 1:1' LAFIJ1\' 2-' RAND PVIVf)J:'/~ CO.. .11/ board
'i
II/( XO<.ld SIr/tm//fla' Ih,'.fo/lo:vi,,/: ,u,tidt's. marl....d IW
,I
11:' III/ml't'red fl." he/ow. ",flil,1t J /,nm/iu /0 ,fdh','r ,i,f/holl! dc/",v. hI li/.:c .t:O<l{{ ,'rdt'r allll r,mdi/jllll.
.):": flUII'l:'Oidtl/l/t' dOIlXt''-J ~"lla~'/j:flti{)1I a/lff Jil''' 'l1l~l' 'T(t'fkd. /i1
" :. -.'1:~;:-' at pOl'l'uX/rflj:hl/er th.. sa
... 0\TII0 0 0 .
i1~'
~ I 1-" AiL flllhl' N:" '!I
~ nm.da. p,'r^~.f.
MARKS.
~flTlCL[S
WEIGl
1870's Laflin & Rand order form using Shot Tower logo.
~
~
Odd shaped lead from the shot-making process, 1976.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Painting showing a statue of Andrew Jackson atop Shot Tower.
Center for Dubuque History, Laras College
..
July 27, 1862
Dubuque Daily Herald reports
J.K. Graves is making shot in an
abandoned mine shaft
"averaging considerably better
shot than that made at the
tower."
.
August 3, 1862
J.K. Graves and partners build a
two-story brick building to make
shot over a mine shaft just west
of General Booth's residence.
Legend says Chadbourne &
Forster challenge the non-
compete agreement with Graves
not to make shot.
.
August 26, 1871
The Shot Tower is sold for
delinquent taxes after being left
to stand idle by St. Louis shot-
making firm Chadbourne &
Forster.
.
February 1, 1874
Dubuque Daily limes reports
that John Deery commissioned
the placement of an Andrew
Jackson equestrian statue atop
the Shot Tower.
-----
April 2007 May 2007
July 2007 AU9ust 2007
June
.2007
1234567 1234
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 2 345 6 7 123 4 5
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
15 18 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
29 30 27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 , 12 13 14 15 16
Flag Day
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Father's Day Summer Begins
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
.
May 11,1881
C.J. Lesure purchases the Shot
Tower and subsequently the
surrounding property for $425.
"
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
!If
JUt
,fil
.
6/9/1881 - Book of Incorporations #2 records W.H.
Day of Empire Lumber Co. and'C.J. Lesure
incorporate as Standard Lumber' Co.
...
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,~
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J~..
\
"
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tt
,
--
~-:~
.,. .~
--;;;
-;~ ~
6/24/1881 - C.J. Lesure sells Shofio~er along
'("
with Lots 22, 23 & 24 to Standard Lumber Co. for
$600. r- ~
.
,
Shot Tower, owned by Standard Lumber Co. from 1881-1911, used as watch tower.
Dubuque County Historical Society
()n ~1ay 26, and again Oil ~vla.... 2;-\, 1911, fin' ravilgl.-,d the Standard L\lll"~er C:llllll';Iny, Cilll..inc
over $600,CtOO wonh \)( 10:-.... including ,he..' intcrh.r uf tht.' Siltll TllWl,'r. Evil.k'l1cl..' .If ;1I......)() \Va"
di..cllVl.'rcd and ,I r"-'\\';lI".1 llf S=J.O\.X.... \va.. .It"f,,'n...d. hut I'll) lInt.' ....v....r C,lll.'l:tl."1.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
May 26 - 28,1911
Fire strikes Standard Lumber
Co., destroying 10 million bdft.
of lumber. The interior of the
Shot Tower is destroyed when
hot embers land on the roof and
burn the structure from the top
down.
Photo of the Shot Tower on fire in 1911.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
October 23,1915
Allison-Henderson Memorial
Association purchases the Shot
Tower and surrounding property
for $12,000. Site planned to be
used for a future park to honor
Senator William B. Allison and
former Speaker of the House,
David B. Henderson.
..
June 9,1881
W.H. Day, of Empire Lumber
Co., and C.J. Lesure incorporate
as the Standard Lumber Co.
.
June 24,1881
Lesure sells the Shot Tower and
surrounding property to
Standard Lumber Co. for $600.
.
July 25, 1911
Standard Lumber Co. sells the
Shot Tower and surrounding
property to M.H. McCarthy for
$1.
May 2007
June 2007
]ulv
2007
1 2 a 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 11 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
August 2007
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
1 2
345 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
1. ~
September 2007
1
2345678
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Independence
Day
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 , 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
1&1\
il
(i
7/13/1862 - Dubuque Daily limes reports a local
boy stole a chunk of arsenic from the Shot Tower,
took it home and threw it in the garden, killing all of
his fathe(s plants. j!
1
1
l'
'.~
7/18/1862 - J.K. Graves sells Shot Tower to SI.
Louis shot-making firm Chadbourne & Forster for
$3,000. Dubuque Daily limes reports Shot Tower
was purchased and closed because it had become
too powerful a rival of the' SI. Louis firm.
'~
7/25/1911 - Town Lots Deed Book #73 records
Standard Lumber Co. sells its bumed-O'ut yards
along with the Shot Towefto M.H. McCarthy for
$1.00. - ,
~
[-.
.. ":Ii
~.;'.J
~~
~p<>
..liP-;?,
-
"
..
J..t..
.,
Shot Tower, owned by Standard Lumber Co. from 1881-1911, used as watch tower.
Dubuque County Historical Society
()n ~v1ay 26, and ilgain llJl Ivlay 2B, 1911, fire rava~ed the Standard LUlnhf..'T C:OIllP,ltly, l:ausin~
ll\:l'l" $6(\0.00(' Wllrth tlt Ius..., inl.:hl,hng (he intcrillr (If tht.' Shelf TtlWcr. Evi,lencl' (If ar.Sll1) W;\'"
,JisCI)'\'I.'n..~d an..l i1 re'.v.lr,) llf $'),1.."('1..-') \"\'as ()tfl'n',J, hut IhllHl.C l"'\'cr I.lIIII'Cll.."I.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
May 26 - 28,1911
Fire strikes Standard Lumber
Co., destroying 10 million bdft.
of lumber. The interior of the
Shot Tower is destroyed when
hot embers land on the roof and
burn the structure from the top
down.
Photo of the Shot Tower on fire in 1911.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
October 23, 1915
Allison-Henderson Memorial
Association purchases the Shot
Tower and surrounding property
for $12,000. Site planned to be
used for a future park to honor
Senator William B. Allison and
former Speaker of the House,
David B. Henderson.
..
June 9, 1881
W.H. Day, of Empire Lumber
Co., and C.J. Lesure incorporate
as the Standard Lumber Co.
.
June 24, 1881
Lesure sells the Shot Tower and
surrounding property to
Standard Lumber Co. for $600.
.
July 25,1911
Standard Lumber Co. sells the
Shot Tower and surrounding
property to M.H. McCarthy for
$1.
.
-
_____" _.___ .___ ..__.__..________ ____ __ __..__ ___ ______ - _n __ ____.~___~_-
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Independence
Day
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
May 2007
June 2007
August 2007
Julv
2007
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2345678
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Shot Tower Facts I Notes
~
:~
'....."
;'Ji
,;.",
7/18/1862 - J.K. Graves sells Shot'llwer to SI.
Louis shot-making finn Chadboumlt'lForster I
$3,000. Dubuque Da/~IY es re~. . '~hotTO\
was purchased and cI becau..~ad beo
too powerful a rival of the t Louis'J!tii.
,. \
. ';.{',
7/25/1911 - Town Lots ~ Book~rdS
Standard Lumber Co. seilS its bu .,'. '. yard.
along with the ShotTowm"to M.H. .,.:'. y 10
$1.00. " .
<:."
,.;
.
-
:'"
....1..
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ii;.
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-
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Allison-Henderson Memorial Association
transfers deed to City of Dubuque.
..
August 16,1916
Allison-Henderson Memorial
Association transfers Shot
Tower and surrounding property
to City of Dubuque.
Drawing of "Landmarks" of Dubuque by A.G. Sten.
. .
August 6, 1933 September 26, 1943
Dubuque Telegraph Herald Dubuque Telegraph Herald
celebrates the Shot Tower's 75th reports an account of the
birthday, even though it was alleged suit filed against J.K.
actually 77 years old. Graves by Chadbourne &
Forster for violating an
agreement not to produce shot
following the sale of the Shot
Tower in 1862.
e
..~......
1
....., .. .....-
.-<$;: ///.?/
.
.....>A.v
.
October 11, 1931
Dubuque Women's Club
petitions City of Dubuque to take
steps to preserve the Shot
Tower. Plans were in the works
at that time to develop the area
for industrial use.
"
;~~ ..'
....
. ',-,.
Iv ~
_. I
PLAYED PART IN~
OLD PRIGE WARt" '
Shot Tower sits abandoned.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
.
.
January 2, 1949
The Des Moines Register refers
to the Shot Tower as "a long-
neglected historical monument."
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 , 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
June 2007 July 2007
121234567
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2223 24 25 26 27 28
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31
Auaust
2aO?
September 2007 October 2007
1
2345678 123456
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1415 16 17 18 19 20
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
30 26 29 30 31
,
.
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
8/3/1862 - Booth. Carter, Chaney and J.K. Grave,
commence the construction of a 2-story building t,
make shot over a mineshaftjOSt west of Gen.
Booth's residence. i fir .
,
W
8/6/1933 - Dubuque Te/egraphHfald celebrates
the Shot Tower's 75th birthday even though it was
actually 77 years old. I '
... "t
1 ,1\
8/16/1916 - Allison-Henderson Memorial
Association transfers the Shot Tower and
surrounding property to the City of Dubuque.
1 Ot
8/20/1856 - Shot Tower construction begins with a
expected completion date of October' 1, 1856.
J;'
"
~,.
l
... ~...
g :~X,
== ~n
8/26/1871 - Dubuque Daily Times r~ports the Sho
Tower is sold for delinquent taxes.~~
~.';;'~
~ "':l"~
I!!J
The Shot Tower is an icon of Dubuque, Iowa.
Dubuque County Historical Society
~
,
<..
, .
~. >)...~
r
"
Star Brewery in foreground, Shot Tower in background.
Dubuque County Historical Society
Girl Scouts make proposal to City of Dubuque.
Center for Dubuque History, Laras College
The windows of the Shot Tower are sealed and roof cap installe
..
December 1, 1949
State Historical Society featureS
article on the Shot Tower written
by Dubuquer William Peterson,
elevating the Shot Tower to icon
status.
.
September 9,1951
Engineer making soundings of
foundations for new construction
nearby pronounces the Shot
Tower to be sound and able to
last "another 100 years."
.
February 11, 1953
Dubuque Beautification
Committee recommends sealing
the Shot Towe~s lower openings,
installing a roof cap and
completing an engineering
survey.
.
December 25, 1949
Dubuque Girl Scouts propose to
plant shrubbery around the Shot
Tower base if the City of
Dubuque would agree to clean
up the area. No action is taken
by the City.
.
November 21, 1952
Dubuque Chamber of
Commerce declares its support
for saving the Shot Tower
because of its "great historical
interest" and its "trademark" role
for the City of Dubuque.
July 2007 August 2007
Seotember
Z007
October 2007
November 2007
1234567 1234
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 2 345 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1819 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Labor Day
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
,
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Autumn Begins
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
'It
l;'
9/9/1951 - Engineering firm making soundings of
foundations for surrounding buildings pronounces
,.
the Shot Tower structure sound and "able to last
another 100 years." .::. · ~
.,
n h
9/22/1857 - Daily Northwest repo~s Mr. Cook and
Mr. Langworthy now Own the Sho/Jower.
,
I,
9/26/1943 - Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports ar
account attributed to Sen. William Allison of the
alleged suit filed against J.K. Graves by
Chadbourne & Forster for violating an agreement
not to produce shot from a tower. No court case
information exists to confirm this story.
f'l1"'l"'7I~OI:~ n,,~.,~..~ n....II., n^~""'II,,....... ~"...."...'" +h,
l'
The Shot Tower is an icon of Dubuque, Iowa.
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
~It;r:.~, nyt .
,,'/: ,
~ ~ Ii.,' '.
..., ..
~
.
,~ .
".
.~
:t
I, t
).:;;~.
I ~,"
I'
I:
-
Star Brewery in foreground, Shot Tower in background.
Dubuque County Historical Society
Girl Scouts make proposal to City of Dubuque.
Center for Dubuque History, Loras College
The windows of the Shot Tower are sealed and roof cap installe
..
December 1, 1949
State Historical Society features
article on the Shot Tower written
by Dubuquer William Peterson,
elevating the Shot Tower to icon
status.
.
September 9,1951
Engineer making soundings of
foundations for new construction
nearby pronounces the Shot
Tower to be sound and able to
last "another 100 years."
.
February 11, 1953
Dubuque Beautification
Committee recommends sealing
the Shot Tower's lower openings,
installing a roof cap and
completing an engineering
su rvey.
.
December 25, 1949
Dubuque Girl Scouts propose to
plant shrubbery around the Shot
Tower base if the City of
Dubuque would agree to clean
up the area. No action is taken
by the City.
.
November 21, 1952
Dubuque Chamber of
Commerce declares its support
for saving the Shot Tower
because of its "great historical
interest" and its "trademark" role
for the City of Dubuque.
July 2007 August 2007
Seotember
Z007
October 2007 November 2007
1234567 1234
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31
123456 123
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1819 20 21 22 23 24
28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Labor Day
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Autumn Begins
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
1Jf
"j
fI1 'I
4'1 I
t
I
9/9/1951 - Engineering firm making soundings of
foundations for surrounding buildings pronounces
the Shot Tower structure sound and "able to last
another 100 years." ~ 1\
f
n · )',.
9/22/1857 - Daily NortHwest reports Mr. Cook and
Mr. Langworthy now Own the shoi Tower.
9/26/1943 - Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports ar
account attributed to Sen. William Allison of the
alleged suit filed against J.K. Graves by
Chadbourne & Forster for violating an agreement
not to produce shot from a tower. No court case
information exists to confirm this story.
"'"''''~''''''''' ~__,,--,___._ ...._".. I""!__....,,___ ____~._ 01..
1#
PUlO' $4 MllllOlt R....UWALI PIAN
To\vering old landnlark
might have to relocate
Save Our Shot Tower
fundraising campaign, 1960.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
u.. M_,,,,, Nn'..,.llI""",,,"
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Rogers, George W. Company Shot Tower.. (added 1976 - Structure - #76000767)
Also known as Dubuque Shot Tower
Dubuque County - Commercial St. and River Front, Dubuque
(less then I acres, 1 structure)
Looking up through the interior of the Tower.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Rogers,C.H., & Co.
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Industry, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1850-1874, t875-1899. 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Industry/Processing/Extraction
Historic Sub-function: Manufacturing Facility
Current Function: Recreation And Culture, VacantINot In Use
Current Sub-function: Monument/Marker
Shot Tower listing in the National Register of Historical Places.
..
October 25, 1959
Dubuque County Historical
Society joins with the Dubuque
Vacation Committee to push for
Shot Tower restoration.
.
March 22, 1960
By the end of the campaign,
Save Our Shot Tower (SOS)
committee raises $6,848 for
renovation and improvements to
the Shot Tower.
.
October 17, 1976
The Shot Tower is listed on the
National Register of Historical
Places by local historian Helen
Mercer.
.
October 17, 1976
Joe Pickett and Richard
Vermeer succeed in making
shot at the Shot Tower after
months of trial and error.
Bottles of the shot are sold by
the Dubuque County Historical
Society.
August 2007 September 2007 October November 2007 December 2007
1 1
1 2 3 . 2 3 . S . 7 8 1 2 2 3 . S . 7 8
3
S . 7 8 . ,. 11 . ,. 11 12 13 " 1S . S . 7 . . ,. . ,. 11 12 13 14 15
12 13 14 ,. 16 17 18 1617 18 19 2. 21 22
2007 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
19 20 21 22 23 2. 2S 2324 25 26 27 28 29 18 ,. 20 21 22 23 24 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
26 27 28 29 30 31 3. 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Columbus Day
14 15 , 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
.....
. ~
'--..
Joe Pickett makes shot at the Shot Tower
similar to how it was done 120 years before
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
.
September 28, 1987
Serious consideration is given to
disassembling the Shot Tower
and rebuilding it at the head of
the Ice Harbor.
,
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
lJJ
IUJ
fiJ
10/10/1856 - Dubuque Daily Republican reports tI
Shot Tower is being built at the foot of 7th Street (
the outer levee. . I
_ -l
10/11/1931- The Telegraph Hera/dreports
Dubuque Women's Club petitions city to take step
to preserve the Shot Tower and tries to create a
small park around the structure.
.!:!. 11
10/17/1976 - The Des Mo/nes Reg/slerreports the
Shot Tower is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places by local historian Helen Mercer.
~ ~t
II '!JI .
10/23/1915 - Allison-Henderson Memorial
Association purchases Shot Tower ~nd
surrounding land for $12,000 for ded)cation as a
city park. l .~
~
10/25/1959 - The Telegraph Herald reports
Dubuque County Historical SocietY joins with the
Dubuque Vacation Coinmittee to pus~ for Shot
Tower restoration. The City Council allocates
$5,000 for repairs. Historical Society claims
$12,000 is needed. . .
.
*T<<
;
f' ,
(
--.....i;,
J
,
\;,... ;.;..
Damage from railway car in 1991,
Dubuque Telegraph Herald
.
January 16,1993
Shot Tower is recognized as a
municipal historic landmark,
Shot Tower at the time of the CAHS research project
Dubuque County Historical Society
.
January 18, 2005
Shot Tower research project
begins at Central Alternative
High School. Students uncover
many "mysteries" of the Shot
Tower. Student Sean Bosveld
discovers his ancestor, J K
Graves, once owned the
structure.
Rendering of proposed Shot Tower renovation,
4 I/W Engineers & SUIVis, p.e.
November 15,1991 April 12, 1992
Runaway rail car smashes into Telegraph Herald survey reveals
Shot Tower causing damage that 76% of Dubuque residents
estimated between $5,000 and favored Shot Tower restoration.
$10,000.
.
April,2001
IIW Engineers of Dubuque,
Iowa, is retained by the City of
Dubuque to perform a structural
evaluation of the Shot Tower,
and to determine how it could be
incorporated into the River Walk
Development plan.
September 2007 October 2007
1
2345678 123456
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1415 16 17 16 19 20
23 24 25 26 27 26 29 21 22 23 24 25 26 21
30 28 29 30 31
November
.2007
December 2007
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
January 2008
1 :2 3 4 5
6 7 6 9 10 11 12
13 1415 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Election Day
11 12 , 13 14 15 16 17
Veteran's Day
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Thanksgiving
25 26 27 28 29 30
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
...
!Jl
""
.it
EiJ
~ ~t
I \
II
11/15/1991 - Runaway railroad car smashes
into Shot Tower causing $5,000-$10,000 in
damage. II,
1 t
I
.
II
11/18/1856 - Dubuque Express & Herald
reports that George_VI. Rogers d,elivered
shot of various sizes from the Sllot Tower.
"' ~;'
;; .,
~ ~..,
<(. f.,
~ ~ij <.
= ~
=: ~
11/26/1856 - Dubuque ExpresS'& Herald
describes Shot Tower as 150 ft."tBlI with 9
t', ~"i!:',
stories, 35 window!'.,.and a buildj09 cost of
. ...- ......... """.- ~
October 2007
November 2007
December
2007
January 2008
February 2008
123456
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1112 13 14 15 16 17
1819 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 1415 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
1 2
3456789
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
l
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Winter Begins
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Christmas
~ - .
Shot Tower Facts I Notes
12/111949 . State Historical Society's monthly
journal, The Palimpseat.'f~~tures article on
the Shot Tower. .. ',J.1:I'
liir
-ii!
it
~ .
12/1711856 - George W Rogers & Co.
advertise their patent shot in the Express &
Herald. .!! ~ ~
ti<
I
-
\Ii
J ,~
~
I
,
I.
- ~,
12/23/1854 . Dubuque Express & Herald
reports George W Rogers & Co, "declare
wa~' on other local gun dealers,
12/24/1856 - Dubuque Express & Herald
reports that the Shot Tower is open for
business and "now prepared to fill all orders for
shot, from buckshot to #20 at nearly SI. Louis
.
Local businesses and civic organizations were asked to help the students
defray the cost of the calendar's production. Four levels of support were
established, each being named after historic figures connected to the Shot Tower:
$2,000 +: The George W. Rogers & Co. level
Recognized as the original owner of the Shot Tower, Dubuque
gunsmith George W. Rogers exploited the extensive local lead
deposits and made "patented drop shot" at the River's edge to
complement his thriving firearms business. Always tinkering to
improve his unique product, Rogers also understood the value of
advertising. Just prior to announcing that his company was taking
orders for bagged shot in December, 1856, he hand-delivered a batch
of his finished product to the local newspaper. The subsequent
glowing and detailed reportage he inspired provides a significant
window into the past to discover how the Shot Tower was
constructed and how lead shot was produced some 150 years ago.
$1,000-$1,499: The John Rague level
A talented and prolific architect, John Rague (rah-GEW) is best
known for designing and constructing the first statehouse in Iowa
City (today known as the "Old Capitol"), as well as the Illinois State
Capitol building in Springfield. He is also credited with designing
Dubuque's City Hall, and the local landmark known as the "Octagon
House." He chose the "Egyptian Revival" style of architecture for
Dubuque's first city jail, and was a resident of the town when the
Shot Tower was being constructed. Since the Dubuque Shot Tower's
shape resembles an Egyptian obelisk, some historians speculate that
John Rague might have been responsible for its design.
2007 Calendar
January 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
. 234 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
3:0 11:<1 18:. 25:()
ADrll 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
:5 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
2:0 10:<1 17. 24:()
JulY 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
. 234 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
:5 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
7:<1 14:. 22:() 29:0
October 2007
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
:4 15 16 17 18 19 20
2: 22 23 24 25 26 27
?R ,q ~n ~,
February 2007
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
:: 12 13 14 15 16 17
:8 :9 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28
2:0 10:<1 17:. 24:()
May 2007
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
2.0 10:<1 16:. 23:() 31:0
Auaust2007
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
:2 13 14 15 16 17 18
:9 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
5:<1 12:. 20:() 28:0
November 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
. :2 13 14 15 16 17
8 19 20 21 22 23 24
5 26 27 28 29 30
March 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
123
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
"" 12 13 14 15 16 17
:8 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
3:0 11:<1 18:. 25:()
June 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2
8 9
15 16
22 23
29 30
3 4
:0 11
:7 18
24 25
5 6 7
12 13 14
19 20 21
26 27 28
8:<1 14:. 22:() 30:0
September 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
2 3 4 567 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
:6 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
3:<1 11. 19:() 26:0
December 2007
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
2 3 4 5 678
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
:6 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
$1,500-$1,999: The J. K. Graves level
Julius K. Graves was a local Dubuque bank clerk by his early 20s
who made his way up the corporate ladder in the l830s and
eventually became a well-respected and successful bank president
and public servant. He founded the City's first municipal gas
company, built the now-famous Fourth Street Elevator, and owned
the Shot Tower when the American Civil War broke out in 1861.
Anticipating early and decisive victories by the Union Army, Graves
installed a 10-ft. flagpole atop his Tower, and planned to unfurl a
huge Star Spangled Banner from it when they were reported. He
eventually sold the structure to St. Louis shot-makers Chadbourne &
Forster in July of 1862. During his research, a Central Alternative
High School student and member ofthe Shot Tower class discovered
that 1. K. Graves is his great-great-great grandfather.
$500-$999: The Chadbourne & Forster level
Chadbourne & Forster operated a major shot-making company 500
miles down river from Dubuque in St. Louis, Missouri, and were
buyers oftri-state area lead ore. Soon after the Dubuque Shot Tower
began filling orders for lead shot in December of 1856, Chadbourne
& Forster attempted to drive their new Dubuque competitors out of
business by dropping the price of their own shot. In July, 1862, they
purchased the Shot Tower from Dubuque businessman 1. K. Graves
and boarded it up, despite their initial promise to keep it operating.
Years later, the abandoned structure was sold for back taxes,.
2008 Calendar
January 2008
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
- 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
:3 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 2: 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
8. 1S() 22:0 30<1
April 2008
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
12345
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
5. 12:() 20:0 28<1
JulY 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
2.. 10() 180 25<1
October 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
2 13 14 15 16 17 18
9 20 21 22 23 24 25
6 27 28 29 30 31
February 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
:0 11 12 13 14 15 16
:7 :8 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29
6.. 13() 200 28:<1
May 2008
Su Me Tu We Th Fr Sa
123
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
:: 12 13 14 15 16 17
:8 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
5:. 11:() 19:0 27:()
Auaust2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
t. 8.() 16.0 23<1 30.
November 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
234 567 8
9 10 :: 12 13 14 15
:6 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
March 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1
2345678
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
:6 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
7. 14:() 210 29.<1
June 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
: 234 567
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
:8 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
3:. 10() 180 26:<1
September 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
- 234 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
:4 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
2 S 29 30
7:() 15:0 22:<1 29.
December 2008
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
4 15 16 17 18 19 20
- 22 23 24 28 26 27
8 29 30 31
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