Overlooking the New River, Shot Tower was built more than 200 years ago to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers. Lead from the nearby Austinville Mines was melted in a kettle atop the 73-foot tower and poured through a sieve, falling through the tower and an additional 75-foot shaft beneath the tower into a kettle of water. Guests may ascend the tower, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Interpretive signs provide details on the tower. Grounds were open from dawn until dusk at this time. The parking lot is usually open year-round. The tower is open on scheduled days in the summer. Admission to the tower was free, BUT the daily parking fee applies.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette enjoyed their view of the 73-foot tall Shot Tower from the upper parking lot. As one of the few remaining shot towers in the United States, the Jackson Ferry tower was constructed by Thomas Jackson and is the centerpiece of the Shot Tower Historical State Park. Construction began on the tower shortly after the American Revolutionary War and was completed in 1807. The tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 1969.

Below: Then Lee and Karen Duquette took a short drive to the lower level, the New River Trail section.

Below: Then it was time for Lee and Karen Duquette to take a hike. New River Trail is a 57-mile linear park that follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The park parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes through four counties and the city of Galax. The trail's gentle slope makes it great for visitors of all ages to hike, bike and ride horseback.

Of course they did NOT hike the entire trail, they just wanted another look at the Shot Tower from the trail. Along the way, they took a short rest at the picnic table to enjoy the scenery and read the signs (shown below the panorama photo).

Below: As the sign states, "It was thought that a least a million years ago, the Kanawaha Falls were formed in West Virginia isolating many of the fish species that were there. Fish were unable to ascend or descend the 240-foot falls." Note: There is NOT any waterfall here today.

Below: Karen Duquette noticed a barrel caught in the river stream.

Below: Photos looking in different directions of the river.

Below: Continuing their hike, Lee and Karen Duquette were intrigued by the trees growing out of the cliff side.

Below: Informative signs were along the trail.

Below: The Route 52 bridge

Below: Then it was time for Lee and Karen Duquette to view The Shot Tower from the back side.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette came to a clearing in the woods and took a little walk to enjoy some different scenery. They crossed a road under the bridge and came upon some local people fishing. So they just took a few photos and went back to the main trail.

Below: Looking back up at the roadway

Below: The return trip to the parking lot. As seen in the photos, the trail is easy to walk on, and shady at times. But a lot of people also rode bicycles through here and they are supposed to yield to the hikers.

Below: As stated earlier, this New River Trail is a 57-mile trail with other interesting things to see, but of course Lee and Karen Duquette only walked a short distance to view the Shot Tower.

Continue on to Big Walker Lookout Tower, Big Bend Overlook and a Love sign

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