Uh oh… that mysterious obelisk has returned and suddenly appears next to the Maury Island Incident mural

The south end is a hive of excitement, intrigue and confusion this week after a mysterious obelisk suddenly appeared at the Maury Island Incident mural.

As we have previously reported, the unusual object appeared in the area several times in 2021 and 2022 before suddenly disappearing – Read more about it here.

The shiny, tall, angular (some say it’s as sharp as a Cybertruck) metal structure was first spotted by early morning joggers, sparking a wave of curiosity and speculation among residents and visitors alike.

The obelisk – which appears to be the exact same one that had previously appeared in the area by chance – is located just to the right of the mural depicting the infamous Maury Island Incident UFO sighting of June 21, 1947, in front of Harper Studios (see map below). The mural, commissioned by John White of Burien and created by artists Nancy and Zach Pahl, commemorates the true story of Harold Dahl, who claimed to have seen six doughnut-shaped objects floating over Puget Sound near Maury Island – as “slag” rained down from a window – and the next day experienced the first-ever encounter with “Men in Black.”

Speculation quickly spread throughout the community, with theories ranging from an elaborate prank to an art installation or even a genuine extraterrestrial phenomenon. Local UFO enthusiasts were particularly excited, considering the obelisk a possible sign from the afterlife due to the unusual symbols on it.

The obelisk attracts a steady stream of visitors, all keen to take selfies and ponder its origins. Some have taken to leaving doughnuts – an homage to the shape of the UFOs reported by Dahl – at the base of the obelisk (which, oddly enough, is encouraged by local police).

While the origins of the obelisk remain a mystery, the city of Des Moines is taking notice and encouraging visitors to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant community. One such activity that honors this mystery is the Men In Black Birthday Partywhich begins in Des Moines on Friday, 21 June 2024 (more info & tickets here).

As the days go by, the obelisk continues to capture the imagination of all who see it. Whether a clever art installation or a sign from another world, its presence at the Maury Island Incident mural has amazed and excited Des Moines and become the talk of the town.

One thing is for sure – the mysterious obelisk has put Des Moines back on the map and reignited interest in one of Washington’s most fascinating UFO stories. Only time will tell if the mystery will be solved or if the obelisk will continue to stand as a silent, enigmatic sentinel over the mural and the legend it represents.

photos

Below are photos of the mysterious obelisk – including one with a person wearing a t-shirt who could be an alien – courtesy of Doreen Harper and Scott Schaefer:

Related