The use of obelisks in the US dates to the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century. They originally represented eternity and memorialization. As the Egyptian Revival style gained popularity during the Napoleonic Wars, the use of obelisks increased in popularity to commemorate military victories and to memorialize national heroes. By the late 18th century in the fledgling US, they were increasingly popular as memorials, and were often used to commemorate battles and heroes of the American Revolution. By the end of the American Civil War, they had become popular grave markers and dotted the landscape in cemeteries across the east coast.
The large obelisk in the foreground marks the grave of Nicholas Cooke, the last colonial governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and subsequently the first governor of the newly independent State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He was Deputy Governor under Joseph Wanton, however Wanton was deposed in 1775 for having Loyalist sympathies. Perhaps the most important act taken by Cooke occurred in May, 1776 when he signed the decree passed by the General Assembly which officially broke ties between the colony and Great Britain. The war, and especially the British occupation of Newport, took a heavy toll on Cooke, and he refused reelection in 1778. Sadly, passed away in November, 1782, a full year before the American Revolution came to a close.
Post processing started with an underexposed filter in Topaz B&W FX. I then adjusted adaptive exposure, regions, color sensitivity sliders, boost black, boost white, protect highlights, and contrast. A levels adjustment and sepia photo filter were added in PSE.
