The Obelisk in Memory of John Wills

THE OBELISK IN MEMORY OF JOHN WILLS, THE PLAINS

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1264417
Date first listed:
16-Mar-1978
List Entry Name:
The Obelisk in Memory of John Wills
Statutory Address:
THE OBELISK IN MEMORY OF JOHN WILLS, THE PLAINS
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Location

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Date:
2002-09-29
Reference:
IOE01/08512/18
Rights:
© Mr Brian Smyth. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1264417
Date first listed:
16-Mar-1978
List Entry Name:
The Obelisk in Memory of John Wills
Statutory Address 1:
THE OBELISK IN MEMORY OF JOHN WILLS, THE PLAINS

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
THE OBELISK IN MEMORY OF JOHN WILLS, THE PLAINS

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:
Devon
District:
South Hams (District Authority)
Parish:
Totnes
National Grid Reference:
SX 80564 60326

Details

1. 5180 THE PLAINS The Obelisk in memory of John Wills SX 8060 SE 2/86

II

2. Memorial to John Wills, erected 1864. Wills, a native of Totnes, was the 1st white man to cross the Australian sub-continent, in 1861. Granite obelisk carried on rusticated base and pedestal with marble inscription plaque. Marble roundel at base of obelisk carved in low relief with bust of Wills. Former bracketed Windsor lanterns removed.

Listing NGR: SX8056460326

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
427880
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of The Obelisk in Memory of John Wills

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 28-Jun-2026 at 00:39:51.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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