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.