Uh oh…that mysterious obelisk has returned, suddenly appears at Maury Island Incident mural in Des Moines

The city of Des Moines is abuzz with excitement, intrigue and confusion this week after a mysterious obelisk appeared suddenly at the Maury Island Incident mural.

As we’ve previously reported, the unusual object made numerous appearances in the area in 2021 and 2022 before suddenly vanishing – read about those here.

The gleaming, tall, angular (some say it’s as sharp as a Cybertruck) metallic 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 appeared randomly in the area previously – is positioned just to the right of the mural depicting the infamous June 21, 1947 Maury Island Incident UFO sighting outside Harper Studios (see map below). The mural, commissioned by Burien resident John White and created by Artists Nancy and Zach Pahl, commemorates the true story of Harold Dahl, who claimed to have witnessed six donut-shaped objects hovering over Puget Sound near Maury Island – when “slag” rained from a disc – following by the first-ever “Men in Black” encounter the next day.

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

The obelisk has attracted a steady stream of visitors, all eager to snap selfies and ponder its origins. Some have taken to leaving offerings of donuts — an homage to the shape of the UFOs reported by Dahl — at the base of the obelisk (which oddly is being encourage by local police).

While the origins of the obelisk remain a mystery, the City of Des Moines is embracing the attention and encouraging visitors to explore the town’s rich history and vibrant community. One such activity that celebrates this enigma is the Men In Black Birthday Bash, which starts in Des Moines on Friday, June 21, 2024 (more info & get tickets here).

As the days pass, the obelisk continues to capture the imagination of all who encounter it. Whether a clever art installation or a sign from another world, its presence at the Maury Island Incident mural has brought a sense of wonder and excitement to Des Moines, making it the talk of the town.

One thing is for sure – the mysterious obelisk has put Des Moines back on the map and rekindled interest in one of Washington’s most intriguing 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 what could be an alien wearing a t-shirt – courtesy Doreen Harper and Scott Schaefer: