shots on the New

For several years now we noticed it: an imposing stone fortress of sorts on a bluff overlooking the New River in southern Virginia, just off I-77.

"We should stop and see it," we'd agree as we sailed up and down the interstate. Commanding a view in both directions of the meandering, majestic New River, surely the shot tower played a part in the Civil War.

So coming home from Charlotte this week, we scooted off to see the tower. And were we surprised. A Mr. Thomas Jackson built the shot tower in the early 1800's. Seventy-five feet tall with a 75-foot shaft below, the 150-foot drop was used for producing lead shot for musket rifles. Molten lead was poured from a kettle at the top, which formed lead balls as they fell and landed in a kettle of water below. The shots were retrieved via a horizontal tunnel from the river's edge. Fascinating!
This meant solid lead and firewood had to be carried up the tower by hand and by the sweat of some determined men.

In googling more info on all this, I read that the New River is the second-oldest river in the world. You might want to go see it sometime.

Gratitude challenge day 3 - I'm thankful for the wonder of history and the men and women who built this amazing country.

                                                                        

                                                                                         Bill loves the mountains ... this is
                                                                                               a perfect photo of him!