Learn About the Great American Landmark Saint Louis Gateway Arch

Learn about the great American landmark Saint Louis Gateway Arch.

Learn About the Great American Landmark Saint Louis Gateway Arch The gateway arch of Saint Louis, Missouri is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, a 91-acre park along the Mississippi river at the site of the former state and federal court house. In 1935, the park was established to commemorate several historical events. Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the west through the Louisiana purchased the explorers and pioneers who helped shape the history of the American west and Fort Dred Scott who sued for his freedom from slavery in the old court house. Jefferson’s vision of the spread of freedom and democracy was the inspiration for the arch, a masterpiece of modern design. The 630-foot stainless steel monument reflects Saint Louis’ role as the gateway to the west which began in 1804 with the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1947, a group of civic leaders held a national competition to select a design for the main portion of the memorial space. Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen, won the competition and over the next 15 years, the design was modified and perfected until construction began in 1963. The gateway arch was completed on October 28, 1965 costing less than 15 million dollars to build. The arch carries visitors from the lobby level below to the observation platform at the top by a unique conveyance system, a 40-passenger train made up of eight 5-passenger capsules in each leg. Because of the car’s shape, the compartments have sloped ceilings that forced taller riders to lean forward while seated. Each compartment individually retains in appropriate level by rotating as the entire train follows curved tracks of one leg of the arch. The ride to the top of the arch takes 4minutes and the trip back down takes about 3 minutes. The car doors have narrow glass panes allowing passengers to see the anterior of the arch during in the trip.