Jefferson Davis Monument - World's 2nd Largest Obelisk

As I mentioned last week, Himself's brother was here for a visit.  One of the stops on "Teri's Tour" was at the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site.  Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, was born at this site in 1808.

His monument is a 351 foot concrete obelisk.  

The monument is the tallest unreinforced concrete structure in the world. No steel was used to reinforce the concrete walls below its pyramidal top. As one pour was completed, large chunks of limestone were left projecting up to connect it to the next pour above. It is also the tallest concrete obelisk in the world. It is the second tallest obelisk in the world after the Washington Monument.

Construction began in 1917 but stopped in 1918 at a height of 175 feet (53 m) due to building material rationing during World War I. Construction resumed in January 1922 and was finished in 1924 at a cost of $200,000. The monument's base was set on limestone bedrock and limestone was quarried on the site for use in its construction. The concrete walls are 8.5 feet (2.6 m) thick at the base and taper to 2.5 feet (0.76 m) thick at the top.

At the top of the monument is an observation room with a window in each of the four walls.  However, we didn't go to the top this time.  In the summer this area is so hazy with humidity, you can't see much from the top... like a foggy day.  Right now they are doing some sort of work on the top, and you can go up only on Friday thru Sunday.  However there is a nice museum to look thru and a pretty good gift shop.  

The monument sits on about 20 acres that has picnic tables and playground equipment...and lots of open area to enjoy.  It is a very nice park... especially in the spring and autumn!