What is the obelisk at Fifth and Pike streets in Cincinnati?

The obelisk is known as the Gateway Monument or Gateway Fountain, a 48-foot Art Deco sculpture erected in 1997.

Who sponsored the Gateway Monument in Cincinnati?

Procter & Gamble was the primary corporate sponsor, with additional support from the Taft Museum of Art and Eagle Realty Group.

Was the Gateway Monument part of a larger city project?

Yes, it was one of several planned gateway monuments intended to enhance downtown Cincinnati's entrances and create a unique sense of place.

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Mystery Obelisk: Cincinnati's Hidden Gateway

11 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A 48-foot Art Deco obelisk marks downtown's eastern entrance.
Erected in 1997, it was sponsored by Procter & Gamble.
It's one of several planned gateway monuments for the city.

Mystery Obelisk: Cincinnati's Hidden Gateway

An imposing 48-foot Art Deco obelisk, known as the Gateway Monument or Fountain, stands at the intersection of Fifth and Pike streets in Cincinnati. Topped with a 6-foot aluminum sphere, this sculpture was erected in 1997 to create a formal welcome for traffic entering downtown from the east.

Procter & Gamble, whose headquarters are nearby, provided corporate sponsorship for the project, with additional support from local arts and business organizations. The monument was envisioned as part of a broader Downtown Gateway Program aimed at creating distinct identities for the city's entrances.

While the Gateway Monument and a bell tower on Reading Road are the only gateways listed on the city's website, plans for other enhancements like pylons, "gateway trees," and a pedestrian bridge were made nearly three decades ago. The ultimate number of completed gateway projects remains uncertain.