Hyde Park Obelisk

Unique IDPC-000013Alternative titleThornton MonumentThornton's Scent BottleMayor's PillarCreator/ArchitectEdward Bell (City Engineer)DescriptionThe Hyde Park Obelisk is a 22 metre Egyptian style obelisk in Hyde Park, at the top of Bathurst Street on Elizabeth Street in Sydney. The obelisk is decorated with sphinxes and serpents with a filigree bronze pyramid on the top, being modelled on Cleopatra's Needle on the banks of the Thames River in London. Named after Mayor George Thornton (1819-1901), it bears a plaque: 'Erected A.D. 1857 George Thornton Mayor'.

The structure was built by the Department of Public Works as ventilation for the sewers. The idea was that the gases from the sewer would 'be so impregnated with, or so diffused amongst, the atmosphere that they could exercise no prejudicial effect or unpleasantness whatsoever' (see letter at A-00445175). However, there was some smell and it was jokingly referred to as 'Thornton's scent bottle'. For example, in a letter of complaint received in 1860, it was described as having 'nauseating stench' (see letter at A-00292857).

The structure was lit up for the visit of the American Fleet in 1908 with 650 coloured electric bulbs.

On World AIDS Day in 2014 the monument was wrapped in a giant hot pink condom as part of a public health campaign. It was added again for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2016 as a safe sex reminder.

The obelisk is still standing in its original location. It is no longer a sewer vent but is a vent for stormwater.External linksState Heritage InventorySubject tagsObeliskHeritage statusState heritage register

Photograph

Item

Plan

Thornton Monument, Hyde Park, Elizabeth Street Sydney, 1960s (A-00016089)

Key dates and actions

Date commissionedBetween 1st January 1857 and 1st January 1970Date constructed/createdBetween 1st January 1857 and 1st January 1970Date openedBetween 1st January 1857 and 1st January 1970

Relationships

CollectionHyde ParkSewerage

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Hyde Park Obelisk