Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Crawshay Obelisk SW of Castle Bridge
Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
- Date of designation
- 26 February 2001
- Locality
- Treforest
- Town
- Pontypridd
- Community
- Pontypridd
- Unitary authority
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.59238, -3.32370
- Cadw reference
- 24870
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Within a small garden overlooking the River Taff on the SW side of Castle Bridge.
History
Dated 1844 and erected by Francis Crawshay of Forest House, proprietor of the Treforest Tinplate Works. It was probably intended to be a boundary marker and is inscribed with the names of both Francis and Henry Crawshay, sons of William Crawshay II of Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr. The obelisk is based on measurements made of an ancient Egyptian prototype. Its use here reflects Crawshay's antiquarian interests, which were typical of men of his generation and class.
Exterior
A tall freestone obelisk with square base and stepped plinth. The obelisk is inscribed 'F Crawshay' on the N side and 'H Crawshay' on the S. The base is inscribed '1844' to the W side. An inscription on the plinth reads: 'I am a model of the only obelisk now standing at Heliopolis On of the scriptures Erected by Osortseen 1st'.
Reason for designation
Listed for historical interest as an unusual landmark and for its association with one of the foremost industrial families of C19 S Wales.
Nearby in the register
- Castle BridgeTransportunder 1 mi
- Treforest Tinplate Works Feeder Sluice and WeirIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Mr Snooker's Club (formerly Cecil Cinema)Recreationalunder 1 mi
- Church Hall at Catholic Church of St DyfrigReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.