The obelisk on Elizabeth Street is one of the earliest monuments
recording the beneficence of a Sydney mayor. It was erected
in 1857 and unveiled by the Mayor, George Thornton. But the
monument is actually a sewer vent, and soon the joke around
town was to call it ‘Thornton’s Scent Bottle’.
Images
Sewer
map 1854
This map shows the system of main sewers laid by the
City Council up to 1854, just prior to the building
of the obelisk sewer vent. (Votes
& Proceedings NSW Legislative Council, 1855,
vol.3 p.460)
Obelisk
from Hyde park
The obelisk terminates the vista at Bathurst Street and
is a strong element in the Hyde Park landscape. This photo
shows the obelisk from Hyde Park in the early twentieth
century. Note the two small obelisks framing the monument.
These have since been removed. (Courtesy
of Sydney Water Corporation / Sydney Catchment Authority
Historical Research & Archives Facility, image: X821122-6)
Obelisk
from Elizabeth Street
Another early twentieth century view of the obelisk, this
time from Elizabeth Street. The street scene shows the
bustle of the city in the early afternoon. A woman walks
briskly across Elizabeth Street, while a horse-drawn cart
disappears downtown on the right. At the foot of the obelisk
a woman contemplates availing herself of the weighing
machine. (Courtesy of Sydney Water Corporation
/ Sydney Catchment Authority Historical Research &
Archives Facility, image: X821122-5)
Egyptian
details
An obelisk is a derivative style of Egyptian monument.
The Victorians had a mania for all things Egyptian. This
is reflected in the architectural style chosen for the
sewer vent. The monument bears Egyptian details, including
these sphinxes carved above the pedestal. (City
of Sydney Archives, SRC Photographic Files)
The
Obelisk today
Taken by photographer Gary Deirmendjian in 2002, the obelisk
remains a mysterious element in the streetscape. (City
of Sydney Archives, Gary Deirmendjian Photographs)
