[LSyd]

"all good cities have obelisks; that way, when they aliens invade, they'll know which cities to spare." - a friend of mine while walking around and we saw an obelisk

go ahead and post pics. all pics here by me

Houston - the world's tallest

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/58471175/original.jpg

Washington D.C. - the most famous?

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/117930312/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/90332183/original.jpg

London

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/54249618/original.jpg

Columbia, SC

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/65075708/original.jpg

Asheville

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/34673185/original.jpg

Birmingham, AL

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/39055153/original.jpg

Birmingham, UK

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/48262284/original.jpg

Knoxville, TN

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/39781054/original.jpg

Oklahoma City

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/84790009/original.jpg

Charlotte

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/70936472/original.jpg

Manchester

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/50153052/original.jpg

Charleston, SC

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/64159397/original.jpg

-

[arlekin_m]

Too bad about that beautiful obelisk in Houston being in the middle of nowhere... :(

[Jimby]

Calgary's Shaw Millenium Park, a large skateboard park on the west edge of downtown. The obelisk was supposed to have a laser beam pointing to the stars at night, but I don't know what happened to that big idea. The pic is 3 years old, I have a much better camera now, so I should do a new and improved shot.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/450238906_8bb034b616_b.jpg


http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_0_395_203_0_47/http%3B/content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Business+Units/Community+and+Neighbourhood+Services/Children+and+Youth/Calgary+Skate+Parks/Shaw+Millenium+Park/About+Shaw+Millenium+Park.htm

[LSyd]

Too bad about that beautiful obelisk in Houston being in the middle of nowhere... :(

not exactly the middle of nowhere...it's by the shipping channel, and on the San Jacinto battle site where the Texans beat the Mexicans to win independence.

it would look better closer to the city.

-

[Ayreonaut]

A few from Rome.

(My Pics)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4133031187_0974816945_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayrcan/4133031187/in/set-72157622875378212)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4133805964_f9144c151a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayrcan/4133805964/in/set-72157622875378212)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4133049403_31f378f7d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayrcan/4133049403/in/set-72157622875378212)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4135417170_f78f80b8c8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayrcan/4135417170/in/set-72157622875378212)

[GFW]

Barrow in Furness
http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/images/Cenotaph-big.jpg

[hauntedheadnc]

Another view of Asheville's obelisk, (aka the "Pack Square Priapism") from the stage at the far end of Pack Square Park.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/hauntedheadnc/Black%20Friday/BlackFriday_34.jpg

Our obelisk is called the Vance Monument and honors Zebulon Baird Vance, an Asheville native who served as governor of North Carolina during the Civil War. The obelisk was erected (tee hee, I said "erected") in the 1890's, but it stands at the spot where Asheville was established in 1793.

[Centropolis]

We have plenty of obelisks, at least as tall as the shortest one shown here, up in the massive northside cemeteries, so we are ok. The aliens already checked us out in 2000, if you recall. It was only the Illinois side police departments that gave a shit and called it in.

[Nowhereman1280]

I think we've got one of those. Does this count?

http://ricedesignalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/john-hancock-center-address.jpg
ricedesignalliance.org

I believe Houston's is the second tallest :D

[wrab]

^ Beat me to it!

[SouthmoreAve]

Houston still has the Pioneer Memorial Obelisk in Hermann Park
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/300235500_089e70b071.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/euthman/300235500/

And does the obelisk in the Rothko Chapel count?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2812828870_d190e0428e.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53245583@N00/2812828870

[LSyd]

I think we've got one of those. Does this count?

http://ricedesignalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/john-hancock-center-address.jpg
ricedesignalliance.org

I believe Houston's is the second tallest :D

nice try but nope, doesn't count.

-

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Just curious, but why not? I know it doesn't quite have a pyramid on top, but the Antennae can create the illusion of a pyramidal massing up top.

[Xelebes]

^^^ Just curious, but why not? I know it doesn't quite have a pyramid on top, but the Antennae can create the illusion of a pyramidal massing up top.


People live in it or work in it.

[Nowhereman1280]

Nothing precludes an obelisk from having interior spaces, an obelisk is a shape, not just a monument. And even if you did use that definition, then you disqualify the Washington Monument because it has usable interior space as well. People work in the Washington Monument; Park Rangers and other staff.

[LSyd]

Nothing precludes an obelisk from having interior spaces, an obelisk is a shape, not just a monument. And even if you did use that definition, then you disqualify the Washington Monument because it has usable interior space as well. People work in the Washington Monument; Park Rangers and other staff.

:haha: and there's a museum at the base of the San Jacinto Monument in Houston; so? :shrug:

Hancock's sides aren't proportional; there's no pyramid on top; no stone/stone cladding; it's a building vs. a monument/tower.

it's obelisk-inspired and obelisk-like, maybe, but not a real obelisk.

-

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Ok, just playin' devil advocate, but y'all just jealous of our sweet black obelisk.

[brickell]

Cleopatra's Needle, Central Park, NYC

http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/obelisk.jpg
src: http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/obelisk.html

Henry Flagler Monument, Biscayne Bay, Miami
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4363776089_147a942547_b.jpg
src: mine

Homoerotic obelisking in Annapolis
Zkju3svjMnw

[wolkenkrabber]

Obelisk in Stockholm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2743165098_a380ac2041_b.jpg
(c)Xesc @ Flickr.com

[HomrQT]

I think we've got one of those. Does this count?

http://ricedesignalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/john-hancock-center-address.jpg
ricedesignalliance.org

I believe Houston's is the second tallest :D

^^^ Ok, just playin' devil advocate, but y'all just jealous of our sweet black obelisk.

Haha, Good man. =)

[pj3000]

Perry Monument - Presque Isle State Park, Erie PA

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2812534090_03c710b00a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4350703030_1ab01d6191_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/467033497_03521bd88c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2875606851_a196814d99_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ljsilicon/

[DJM19]

LA City hall is sort of an obelisk:

http://www.you-are-here.com/downtown/los_angeles_city_hall.jpg
via you-are-here.com

Theres also the Griffith observatory statue (sort of a concave one):

http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/griffiths.jpg
via Treehugger

[pj3000]

PPG Plaza - Pittsburgh PA

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1047/888142276_2c5c9d1bc2.jpg?v=0

[LSyd]

LA City Hall - not an obelisk (see Hancock Centre madness above). the rest are cool though. i like the scale of the PPG one...

-

[Matthew]

Winston-Salem

The most well-known obelisk in Winston-Salem is the Kathrine Smith Johnston Obelisk, outside the 2,500 seat auditorium she paid for in 1923.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/364/imgav.jpg
Photo Credit: Jonathan & Susan's Winston-Salem Obelisk Collection

:tup: Years ago, Winston-Salem used obelisks as street markers. The sides were painted with the street names. I took this photo below in the West Highlands Neighborhood. The paint with the street names is no longer on the obelisk and leads many new residents to ask what they are used for. :D

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5082/img1hj.jpg
Historic Street Sign in Winston-Salem

An historic 1960's photo of one of these street signs with the street names painted on it in Winston-Salem's Columbia Heights Neighborhood.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2337/img2z.jpg
Photo Credit: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Library

[Dan Denson]

Too bad about that beautiful obelisk in Houston being in the middle of nowhere... :(

Go to Google Earth and do a search on Battleground Rd., and you'll see that the San Jacinto monument is in the middle of a huge industrial complex. It's in a metro area of nearly 6 million people. The monument is not in the middle of nowhere. However, it is surrounded by a park.

[Nowhereman1280]

LA City Hall - not an obelisk (see Hancock Centre madness above). the rest are cool though. i like the scale of the PPG one...

-

Wait, I thought we agreed that Hancock is an Obelisk? :D

[volguus zildrohar]

Philadelphia, PA

Penn's Landing - Columbus Memorial

http://images.zoomandgo.com/D/USA/USZ/DUSAUSZ42ML1601-1100010906VV.jpg

Penn Treaty Park

http://www.philart.net/images/large/pennob.jpg?PHPSESSID=fb5614b80ee8dd54dcce649102e35a00

BNY Mellon Center - Heh Heh.

http://www.pbase.com/phillytrax/image/21313066.jpg

[StethJeff]

Houston - the world's tallest

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/58471175/original.jpg


-

Kinda creepy. Looks like this photo was taken in North Korea.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ The star would certainly seem to suggest that...

[JManc]

Go to Google Earth and do a search on Battleground Rd., and you'll see that the San Jacinto monument is in the middle of a huge industrial complex. It's in a metro area of nearly 6 million people. The monument is not in the middle of nowhere. However, it is surrounded by a park.

:yes:

http://www.nwwin.com/deerpark.tx/Fullview.jpg

[pj3000]

Grave of John D. Rockefeller, Lakeview Cemetery - Cleveland

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2568390415_db55120bba_b.jpg

[muppet]

Jakarta National independence Monument, 450ft

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p292/trijoed/monas.jpg
monas, www.photobucket.com
http://www.tobaphotographerclub.com/data/media/7/Monas_Mancur_Oke.jpg
www.tobaphotographerclub.com

[Ordo_]

Can't forget Madison WI's "Ball-blisk" outside Camp Randall Stadium.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2723074150_64bcb02edc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2723076396_030c5917c3_b.jpg

[Cirrus]

You can find obelisk grave markers in any sizable cemetery in the western world. They really shouldn't count unless they're extraordinary somehow.

You can also count me among those who don't think skyscrapers with a slight resemblance to obelisks really count... although I might be willing to make an exception for the Foshay Tower in Minneapolis:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4140244836_a29bd494f2.jpg
source: flickr user mgtelu (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93694546@N00/4140244836/)

[Cirrus]

Of course, the Egyptians famously used them just about everywhere:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/H%C3%A9liopolis200501.JPG/450px-H%C3%A9liopolis200501.JPG
source: wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk)

The Obelisk of Buenos Aires is another extremely famous one.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Obelisco.JPG
source: wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk)

[pj3000]

You can find obelisk grave markers in any sizable cemetery in the western world. They really shouldn't count unless they're extraordinary somehow.

You can also count me among those who don't think skyscrapers with a slight resemblance to obelisks really count...

I agree, but thought that John D. Rockefeller's grave was extraordinary somehow... since he was, ya know, just kinda important.

And yes, people should stop posting skyscrapers on here.

[pj3000]

Can't forget Madison WI's "Ball-blisk" outside Camp Randall Stadium.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2723074150_64bcb02edc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2723076396_030c5917c3_b.jpg

This thing is just ugly and weird. With that seed-filled-turd-looking tower of bad karma standing outside their stadium, it's no wonder that the Badgers are always an also-ran on the gridiron.

[Ordo_]

With that seed-filled-turd-looking tower of bad karma standing outside their stadium, it's no wonder that the Badgers are always an also-ran on the gridiron.

That must be it! Thanks for figuring that out for me.

[Matthew]

The Kathrine Smith Johnston Obelisk isn't over her grave. You don't see any graves around it. The obelisk is located at the site of a Parthenon-style science building she proposed beside the auditorium in 1922, but was never able to complete. :( She was buried in the graveyard at Reynolda Presbyterian Church in 1924. She didn't live long enough to see the completion of the entire six building complex and the obelisk reminds people of her generosity and vision for the site, as they walk the grounds. This is located on a tall ridge in an historic neighborhood and the other side has an observation area with a large city park, where you can look down on the city and out at two of Winston-Salem's skylines (Downtown & Hawthorne Hill skylines). A beautiful location. I wish I had a better photo of the obelisk.

[HooverDam]

In North Scottsdale they have a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired spire/obelisk thing that lights up at night:

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3526/1209602756d7f4f3b1a5.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/8394/citybluespire.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1346/30956470254eec55b15a.jpg

Its based on the spires in FLWs unbuilt idea for a new AZ state capitol:
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/4274/posteroasis.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3846/azstatecap4657.jpg

[scalziand]

^^That is wicked cool.

[Dan Denson]

:yes:

http://www.nwwin.com/deerpark.tx/Fullview.jpg

Good perspective of the San Jacinto Monument's location in east Harris County (alhough I really like the original shot, too).

[rockyi]

A marker at the largest Confederate cemetery in the northern states on Arsenal Island, Rock Island, IL.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/rockyi/arsenal%20island/012_9a.jpg

[MonkeyRonin]

The Boer War Memorial on University Avenue:

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/Buildingimages/BoerWarMemorial3.jpg

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/Buildingimages/BoerWarMemorial1.jpg
http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/tobuildings_more.php?search_fd3=2721


Also I suppose the Holocaust Memorial at Earl Bales Park could be considered an obelisk?

http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/Buildingimages/HolocaustMemorial1.jpg
http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/tobuildings_more.php?search_fd3=6572

[Architype]

Vancouver has a number of these small ones in a park at False Creek near downtown. These are Frank Lloyd Wright inspired:
http://www.pbase.com/image/111200504.jpg
credit - my photo

Here is another photo (http://www.pbase.com/image/103042491.jpg)

And this one in downtown Vancouver, in Canada they tend to be more modest.
http://www.pbase.com/image/39845290/large.jpg
credit - my photo

[Tower6]

Well, when I lived in Berwyn there was this one:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Berwyn_car_spindle_20070707.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Berwyn_car_spindle_20070707.jpg

What a masterpiece!

[ItsConanOBrien]

Portland, Maine doesn't have any outside of the cemetaries. After seeing all these examples of cities that have one downtown, I think one should be built immediately.

And I don't think that the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston (Charlestown) has been mentioned in this thread: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill_Monument

[FerrariEnzo]

Grave of John D. Rockefeller, Lakeview Cemetery - Cleveland

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2568390415_db55120bba_b.jpg

Some more from a few years back...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/FerrariEnzo/88bf8019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/FerrariEnzo/7bb5a161.jpg

[HomrQT]

Well, when I lived in Berwyn there was this one:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Berwyn_car_spindle_20070707.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Berwyn_car_spindle_20070707.jpg

What a masterpiece!

I can't believe they took it down. What the hell!?! IT WAS IN WAYNE'S WORLD!!!

[TarHeelJ]

Atlanta Obelisks

Confederate Dead Memorial
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/3062196492_03997f885b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58901870@N00/3062196492/

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3546796631_058764acf6.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_m_w/3546796631/

Former Mayor Andrew Young Monument
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3211296734_34c5e333e2.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/firecomet/3211296734/

Decatur Courthouse Monument
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2638266654_8e033905b8.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nda5150/2638266654/

Piedmont Park Marker
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1234253433_e41a7f79dd.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valerie_c/1234253433/

[TarHeelJ]

I'm surprised no one posted this one yet:

Bunker Hill Monument, Boston MA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/4160937645_dc53ae116d.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3746923865_d969abaaf4.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lcd1863/4160937645/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/alain_quevillon/3746923865/

[Centropolis]

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/large/f7aa391c-47c9-451f-9fae-551ffa397ad1.JPG
http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/large/f7aa391c-47c9-451f-9fae-551ffa397ad1.JPG

guess it really isnt the idea to refer to mausoleums, but Bellefontaine is chock full of large ones (for graves).

[Aleks]

I love the FLW Spire. It's one of my favorite pieces of public art. it's just sooo... different, as if it should be in epcot or something.

[TarHeelJ]

The Kathrine Smith Johnston Obelisk isn't over her grave. You don't see any graves around it. The obelisk is located at the site of a Parthenon-style science building she proposed beside the auditorium in 1922, but was never able to complete. :( She was buried in the graveyard at Reynolda Presbyterian Church in 1924. She didn't live long enough to see the completion of the entire six building complex and the obelisk reminds people of her generosity and vision for the site, as they walk the grounds. This is located on a tall ridge in an historic neighborhood and the other side has an observation area with a large city park, where you can look down on the city and out at two of Winston-Salem's skylines (Downtown & Hawthorne Hill skylines). A beautiful location. I wish I had a better photo of the obelisk.

Here are a couple I found on flickr...you are SO right, it is a beautiful location - on the campus of R.J. Reynolds High School:

Katharine Reynolds Obelisk, Winston-Salem NC
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2873550610_0b01b1d5d9.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2042224010_ba79c33281.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/giantsloth/2873550610/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/20985745@N03/2042224010/

[texcolo]

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/INFO/Washmon/images/wamo40o.jpg

Washington Monument with scaffolding... I had to post it.

:D

[TarHeelJ]

The 90' obelisk atop Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/481358751_7dcc320545_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ucumari/481358751/sizes/l/

[Tower6]

I can't believe they took it down. What the hell!?! IT WAS IN WAYNE'S WORLD!!!
Yeah, that was a bummer. Is there anything artistic left in Cermak Plaza?

[JDRCRASH]

Woah, I didn't know BofA Atlanta had an obelisk.

[TarHeelJ]

Woah, I didn't know BofA Atlanta had an obelisk.

I don't think many people realize it...for all of the criticism the BOA crown/spire get for being an "afterthought", it's actually a nicely planned part of the building's architecture.

"There is a 90 ft (27 m) obelisk-like spire at the top of the building echoing the shape of the building as a whole. The spire is covered in 23 karat gold leaf."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_America_Plaza_(Atlanta)

[TarHeelJ]

Georgia Obelisks

Casimir Pulaski Monument, Monterrey Square, Savannah GA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2771402147_20217e505b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23506671@N07/2771402147/

Nathanael Greene Monument, Johnson Square, Savannah GA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/3843886052_f99ea13d5e.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44534236@N00/3843886052/


Ohio Monument, Andersonville GA
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/206163405_d305402839.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/railphotos/206163405/


Broad Street Obelisk, Athens ga
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3574845776_39ba22c2f1.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36820492@N07/3574845776/


Felton Monument, Cartersville GA
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1276/804215339_7f45938cfd.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohound/804215339/


Crawford Long Memorial, Jefferson GA
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/234/457140720_4a8c25f674.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7720665@N04/457140720/


Signers Monument, Augusta GA
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/487333947_0d5cfb3054.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amberlrhea/487333947/

[ardecila]

Yeah, that was a bummer. Is there anything artistic left in Cermak Plaza?

Those were real cars, which means that they rusted, had animals living in them, leaked oil onto whatever is below, and occasionally pieces of the cars fell off. You can see how that might be dangerous?

Due to the nature of corrosion, it was always meant as a temporary installation. I'm pretty sure it lasted 15 years longer than they expected!

I'd be game for another one made with modern cars... gas-guzzling Hummers and Suburbans would be appropriate, but there would be a weight issue.

[scalziand]

Here's some smallish ones from the WPI campus:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5681/dcp1106.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6386/dcp1104.jpg

[RobertWalpole]

Cleopatra's Needle, Central Park, NYC

http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/obelisk.jpg
src: http://www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/obelisk.html



The one in NY is 3,500 years old and is a twin of one located on the Thames in London.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra's_Needle