Hyde Park Obelisk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyde Park Obelisk |
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Hyde Park Obelisk, as viewed from Bathurst Street.
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| Alternative names | Thornton's Scent Bottle |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Obelisk, sewer vent |
| Architectural style | Victorian Egyptian |
| Address | Junction of Bathurst and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′29″S 151°12′36″E / 33.874682°S 151.209946°E |
| Opened | 1857 |
| Client | Sydney Municipal Council |
| Owner | Sydney Water |
| Height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | NSW Department of Public Works |
| Official name | Sewer Vent; The Obelisk; Obelisk Sewer Vent |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 15 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1642 |
| Type | Other - Utilities - Sewerage |
| Category | Utilities - Sewerage |
| Builders | Public Works Department |
The Hyde Park Obelisk is a tall, pointed stone monument in Hyde Park, Australia. It stands where Elizabeth Street and Bathurst Street meet in the heart of Sydney.
This obelisk was built in 1857. Its main job was to act as a sewer vent. This means it helped bad gases escape from the city's underground sewer system. Today, it still stands as an important historical monument.
It was designed and built by the NSW Department of Public Works. People sometimes call it The Obelisk or Obelisk Sewer Vent. A funny nickname for it is Thornton's Scent Bottle. This is because George Thornton was the Mayor of Sydney when it was built. The obelisk is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on November 15, 2002.
The obelisk looks like the famous Cleopatra's Needle in London. It's built in a style called Victorian Egyptian. The whole structure is 22 metres (about 72 feet) tall. Its base is made of Sydney sandstone and is 6.5 metres (about 21 feet) high. At the very top, there's a fancy, decorated bronze cap called a pyramidion.
Contents
History of the Obelisk
The Hyde Park Obelisk was built to help with Sydney's first proper sewer system. It was finished in 1857.
Why Sewer Vents are Needed
Sewer systems need vents for a few reasons. One reason is for safety. Gases can build up in sewers, which can be dangerous for workers. Vents help these gases escape. Another reason is to stop corrosion. Certain chemicals in the gases can damage the sewer pipes over time. Vents help prevent this.
There are two main types of sewer vents:
- Induct vents: These pull fresh air into the sewer pipes. This helps to keep the air moving and prevents bad smells.
- Educt vents: These let gases escape from the sewer system. The Hyde Park Obelisk is an educt vent.
The design of the vent's top helps it either pull air in or let gases out, depending on the wind.
The First Sewer Vent
The Hyde Park Obelisk was the very first special sewer ventilation shaft built in Sydney and New South Wales. It's also the only sewer vent in the Sydney Water system made entirely of sandstone.
When it was first built, its job was to let out smelly gases from the sewers. Later, Sydney's water systems were changed. Now, the obelisk helps ventilate the stormwater system instead of the sewer system.
What the Obelisk Looks Like
The obelisk was finished in 1857. It's a simple stone shaft with a sandstone base. It has a fancy bronze cap at the top that acts as the ventilator.
Sydney's Early Sewer System
The city of Sydney's first planned sewer system was built by the Municipal Council. This system had five main pipes that carried waste out to the harbour. The Hyde Park Obelisk was the only way to ventilate this early system. It was placed in Hyde Park at the corner of Bathurst and Elizabeth Streets.
As the city grew, it became clear that more ventilation was needed for the sewers. This was important to deal with smells, pressure, and chemical issues.
How Vents Changed Over Time
After the Hyde Park Obelisk, other sewer vents were built. These were often made of bricks and were quite decorative. Later, engineers found that smaller, steel tube vents were more efficient. These steel vents were placed about every 350 metres (about 1,150 feet) along the sewer lines.
The Hyde Park Obelisk is still mostly in its original condition, except for some small changes to its base.
Why the Obelisk is Important
The Hyde Park Obelisk is very important for several reasons.
Historical Significance
It's one of the oldest parts of Sydney's early sewer system. It was the first major sewer vent ever built in the city. It's also the only one made completely out of sandstone. At the time it was built, creating such a useful and large structure was a big achievement.
Landmark and Beauty
The obelisk is a well-known landmark in Hyde Park and Sydney. It stands out at the end of Bathurst Street, making a strong visual statement. It also adds to the beauty of Elizabeth Street. Its design shows the classic architecture and technology of the late 1800s.
Community and Knowledge
The obelisk played a big role in how Sydney's sewer system developed. It helped engineers understand how gases moved in sewers. This knowledge helped them design better vents to safely release gases and reduce pressure. It's recognized by the National Trust Australia (NSW) as an important part of our heritage.
Unique and Rare
The Hyde Park Obelisk is unique in New South Wales. It's one of the oldest pieces of infrastructure in Sydney's early sewer system. It was the very first vent shaft built to remove harmful gases from the city's sewers. While it's unique in its sandstone construction, it also represents the general methods used for sewer ventilation.
Gallery
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East side of Obelisk, showing maintenance access door as well as the sphinxes and other features
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Bronze pyramidion on top of Obelisk
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Dedication on west side of Obelisk
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Dedication on east side of Obelisk
See also
In Spanish: Obelisco del Parque Hyde para niños
