The Iconic Gateway Arch: A St. Louis Landmark Experience
St. Louis, Missouri ✈
During my visit to St. Louis, Missouri, I made a stop at The Gateway Arch, located in Gateway Arch National Park right by the Mississippi River. It’s a symbol of the westward expansion of the United States and stands 630 feet tall, making it the tallest man-made monument in the country.
I purchased tickets for both the Tram Ride to the Top and the documentary movie that explains the history and construction of the Arch. After going through a quick security screening, I walked into the museum, which is free to the public.
Book a Tour: St. Louis Arch Walking Tour and Entrance Ticket
“The tram ride to the top was a unique experience, and the panoramic views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi River were well worth the trip.”
The Museum
The museum itself offers a thorough look into the history of St. Louis, the western expansion, and the construction of the Arch. There are exhibits detailing the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the impact this expansion had on Native American populations. The section about the Arch's construction was particularly interesting, showcasing models and tools used by the workers who built it.
The free museum at the Gateway Arch is located underground beneath the monument, and it covers a broad range of topics related to American history, St. Louis, and the construction of the Arch.
Here's a detailed breakdown of what I saw:
1. The Early Days of St. Louis
One section focuses on the founding of St. Louis in 1764 and its role as a major hub for trade, exploration, and settlement. There were detailed exhibits on the city's early history, including its French roots and how it grew into a key frontier town in the early 19th century.
2. Westward Expansion
Another prominent exhibit covers the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, when the U.S. acquired a vast amount of territory from France, and the subsequent Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). These exhibits dive into the stories of exploration, featuring maps, journals, and artifacts from that period. There were also displays showing the various trails settlers used to head west, like the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails.
3. Impact on Native Americans
One powerful section delves into how westward expansion affected Native American tribes. It features artwork, photos, and accounts detailing the displacement of indigenous people, treaties made and broken, and the lasting impact of settlement on their way of life. This exhibit provided a sobering look at a less celebrated aspect of America’s growth.
4. The Riverfront Era
The museum also highlights St. Louis’s role as a bustling river city. It was a central location for steamboats and traders, and there are exhibits showing the tools, goods, and machinery that were part of life on the Mississippi River. Life-sized recreations of steamboat sections, trade shops, and market scenes give you a sense of what the city would have been like during its riverboat era.
5. Building The Arch
This section of the museum focuses specifically on the history of the Gateway Arch itself. I saw architectural drawings, photographs, and scale models of the Arch as it was being designed and constructed. There are interactive exhibits showing how the workers built the Arch by raising each section of stainless steel into place. It also details how the Arch was constructed in just two years (1963-1965), using groundbreaking engineering techniques.
6. Eero Saarinen’s Vision
One display is dedicated to Eero Saarinen, the Finnish-American architect who designed the Arch. I learned about his inspiration for the design, how he wanted the Arch to symbolize the "Gateway to the West," and how it was a modernist masterpiece in its simplicity and elegance.
7. Civil Rights Exhibits
There is also a section about the role of St. Louis in the civil rights movement. This exhibit features stories from people who lived through the struggles for equality, and how movements in the city reflected broader national issues. It ties into the history of the Old Courthouse, where important legal battles like the Dred Scott case were heard.
The museum at the Gateway Arch gave me a deep appreciation for both the local history of St. Louis and its place in America’s broader narrative of growth, innovation, and conflict. The variety of exhibits made it a well-rounded educational experience.
The Documentary
Next, I entered the small theater to watch the documentary. The film did a great job of showing how the Arch was built, with footage from the construction in the 1960s. It’s a fascinating piece of engineering, designed by Eero Saarinen, and was completed in 1965. Watching how the two sides of the Arch were built simultaneously and had to meet perfectly in the middle was one of the most intriguing parts of the film.
The Tram Ride to the Top
After the movie, I took the tram ride up to the top. The tram is unique because it’s a series of small, egg-shaped pods that each seat five people. It’s a tight fit, and the ride takes about four minutes to reach the observation deck. The pods are designed to adjust as the tram ascends, keeping riders upright while traveling along the curved structure of the Arch.
Once at the top, the views from the narrow windows were impressive. Facing west, I had a panoramic view of downtown St. Louis. I could clearly see The Old Courthouse—unfortunately closed for renovations during my visit—and Busch Stadium, home to the St. Louis Cardinals. Turning to the east, the view was dominated by the Mississippi River. From that side, I could see the Riverboat Cruise dock, with boats lined up for tours along the river.
History of The Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis has a rich history rooted in its symbolism as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States. The idea for the Arch came about in 1933, when civic leaders in St. Louis wanted to revitalize the city’s riverfront and honor its role as the "Gateway to the West." A national competition was held in 1947-1948 to design a monument that would symbolize this idea, and Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen won with his design of a stainless steel, 630-foot-tall arch.
Saarinen’s design was intended to symbolize America's expansion westward following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. St. Louis was a key starting point for settlers and explorers heading west, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Arch reflects this era of exploration and growth, standing as a gateway both literally and figuratively.
The construction of the Arch began in 1963 and took about two years to complete, with the final section installed in 1965. The project faced many engineering challenges, particularly in making sure that the two sides of the Arch, built separately, would meet perfectly at the top. The structure was completed using carbon steel, concrete, and stainless steel.
At the time, it was a groundbreaking engineering feat. The Arch is 630 feet high and 630 feet wide at its base, creating a perfect curve known as a catenary arch, which is the most structurally sound arch shape.
The Gateway Arch was officially opened to the public on June 10, 1967. The Tram Ride to the Top and the museum were added as part of the visitor experience, and over the years, millions of people have visited the site to enjoy its views and learn about its history.
The Gateway Arch is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark and was designated as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, renamed Gateway Arch National Park in 2018. It commemorates the spirit of exploration, innovation, and the vision of a growing nation.
Today, the Arch remains a symbol of St. Louis and one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, standing as a testament to both America's westward expansion and modern architectural innovation.
After my tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, I stopped by the Arch Store and Arch Cafe, which are both located in the visitor center at the base of the monument. The Arch Store offers a wide variety of souvenirs, from books about the history of the Arch and St. Louis to postcards, apparel, and locally crafted items. It's a nice place to pick up a memento of your visit, whether it’s a small trinket or a more detailed historical book.
Adjacent to the store is the Arch Cafe, where visitors can grab a bite to eat or take a break after exploring. The cafe has a selection of snacks, beverages, and light meals. After my trip to the observation deck, I took the opportunity to enjoy some kosher snacks at the cafe, which was a refreshing way to relax before heading back out into the heat of the day. The combination of snacks and a cool bottle of water made for a perfect end to my visit at the Gateway Arch.
My visit to The Gateway Arch was both educational and awe-inspiring. From the detailed exhibits in the museum to the fascinating documentary on its construction, I gained a deeper appreciation for the history behind this iconic structure. The tram ride to the top was a unique experience, and the panoramic views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi River were well worth the trip. Finishing the day with a relaxing snack at the Arch Cafe provided the perfect end to my visit. The Gateway Arch is a must-see for anyone visiting St. Louis, offering a blend of history, architecture, and breathtaking scenery.
Book a Tour: St. Louis Arch Walking Tour and Entrance Ticket
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