A fence along Union Street is built with Egyptian obelisk-shaped fence posts. It is a modern copy of the original fence, which was removed in the 1880s. The fence was an important part of Lafever's original plan to replicate Solomon's Temple in Egyptian style. The plan of the original Temple had a forecourt. Worshippers would pass two great pillars, named Boaz and Jachin, before passing into the sanctuary. In Lafever's design, the fence marked the "forecourt", and the doorway is framed by two enormous pylons representing Boaz and Jachin.