Cleopatra's Needle, a gift from the Egyptian government, was transported from Alexandria, Egypt and made it all the way to Central Park where it was erected in January 1881. The event attracted 10,000 onlookers who were gripped by "Obeliskmania". At least two black box time capsules were buried in the ground under the monument and the CPC confirmed they have no plans to ever unearth them.
Read the full story and see photos from 1881 here.