Very cool I never get enough American history 🇺🇲

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Judy!!

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Dean

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

It is such a cool area to see, so much history and cool houses there

@PatriotPaulUSA

Жыл бұрын

To make the lead, that later became the shot probably.

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!

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

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

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

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.

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.

I have been by that place a few times never have stopped yet. Thank you both for sharing. Cheers

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

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.

@PatriotPaulUSA

Жыл бұрын

Very well said and thanks for the information update and clarity. 👍😊

Enjoyed this! Very interesting and informative! Love the history! Very beautiful area also! Thanks you 2 ..God bless 🙏❤

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!

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

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

That is so cool! Thank you Shane and Melody!

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Robin

I love structures made of stone. Very scenic location. Interesting ferry history as well. Enjoyed the stop here!

I have been here many times. It is amazing.

I drove by a hundred times. I couldn't stop. Thank you

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

I know that feeling

Been there and by there Proud to be close to home.

I’d like to go back in time and actually watch it being built.

@debluetailfly

Жыл бұрын

Now that would be something to see!

Glad you visited. I always miss the exit on my way north from NC.

Nice view 🥰

I remember visiting a shot tower from the Civil War in Dubuque, Iowa. Fascinating building.

Quite a fantastic view from the tower.

We used to hold a living history there in the nearby campground back in the 90s.

Wow been rt by there 1000 times and never knew it was there!!!! Thx guys. So cool

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

We loved that log cabin too but couldn’t find any facts on it! - Melody

Very fascinating. Thank you for sharing.

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 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.

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

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 love to watch what you do

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!)

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Man that sounds amazing! I wish we could’ve stopped in for a visit! Thank you!! - Melody

Wow this is awesome!

Great History !!!!!

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

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.

Very Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Daniel!!! You are much appreciated, our friend! - Melody

Awesome video,Thank you

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

A short 2 mile walk down the New River trail to my Mom's house!

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

Awesome!!

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.

@realappalachia

Жыл бұрын

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

Great. Your cold was not in vain.

How did theu stack that block

So this is what Bob Dillion. and Jimmy Hendrix was singing about lol :)))))

@irishpirate6779

Жыл бұрын

dylan

@irishpirate6779

Жыл бұрын

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