
Natural Bridge in Virginia
Posted by:
CTGeoscout
N 37° 37.583 W 079° 32.583
17S E 628566 N 4165360
America's first shot tower, Natural Bridge served as a shot tower during the Revolutionary War.
Waymark Code: WM6N7E
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 06/24/2009
Views: 77
In 1774 Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land, including the Natural Bridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, from King George III of England for 20 shillings.
During the Revolution, Colonists dropped molten lead from the top of the Natural Bridge, using it as a natural "shot tower" to make bullets used to defeat the British. In the 245-foot fall the drops became spherical and when they hit Cedar Creek's cold water they hardened into bullets.
American Shot Towers
Jefferson and the Natural Bridge