Column At South West End Of Meanwood Park At Ngr 2798 3734

The column at the south-west end of Meanwood Park was built around 1672 and erected in its current location around 1847 for Edward Oates. It is made of gritstone and ashlar, featuring a square plinth and a moulded pedestal topped with a tall Roman Doric column. On the south face of the pedestal, there is a bronze plaque with an inscription that reads: "IN MEMORY OF/ EDWIN KITSON CLARK/ LT. COL. D.L. T.D. M.A. F.S.A./ AND/ (GEORG)INA KITSON CLARK/ WHO LIVED AT MEANWOODSIDE/ FROM 1904 TO 1954, AND GAVE/ TO LEEDS UNSTINTED SERVICE."

Historically, the grounds of Meanwoodside were developed between 1838 and 1865 during Edward Oates' lifetime. Oates was a prominent member of the Mill Hill Unitarian Chapel in Park Row. It is noted that the two columns were relocated from the old chapel built between 1672 and 1674 when it was demolished to make way for the new building in around 1847, which was constructed from Meanwood stone. The Kitson Clarks resided at Meanwoodside from 1904 to 1954, after which the house was demolished, and the grounds became part of a public park.