Obelisk At The Centre Of St George'S Circus

The obelisk at the center of St George's Circus is a stone structure erected in 1771 by Robert Mylne. Originally located in St George's Circus, it was removed in 1905. The obelisk features inscriptions on its four faces: the north face states "ERECTED IN XI YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING GEORGE THE THIRD. MDCCLXXI. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE BRASS CROSBY ESQUIRE, LORD MAYOR"; the south face reads "ONE MILE, CCCL FEET FROM FLEET STREET," with the arms of the City of London below; the east face indicates "ONE MILE FROM PALACE YARD, WESTMINSTER HALL"; and the west face states "ONE MILE, XXXX FEET FROM LONDON BRIDGE."

Historically, this obelisk was part of a grand planning scheme by Mylne for Blackfriars Bridge Road, serving as a focal point and signpost for roads radiating from the south into the city. In around 1897, it was removed to accommodate a Victoria Diamond Jubilee clock-tower and was later re-erected in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park on Lambeth Road, where it was listed in 1950. In 1998, it was returned to its original position. The obelisk is part of a significant group with several nearby structures, including the Duke of Clarence Public House, Nos 123-131 London Road, Nos 113-119 Borough Road, the former Presbyterian Chapel, and St George the Martyr Library.