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What monument best represents the spirit of St. Louis?
- No other monument better evokes the spirit of the city than the St. Louis Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
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Where is the Gateway Arch located?
- Located amidst the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it has become as emblematic of American national identity as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.
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What else can visitors see at the Gateway Arch site?
- Aside from the Gateway Arch itself, there is much else to see on the 91 acres dedicated to the monument.
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What are some attractions near the Gateway Arch?
- The grounds surrounding the arch as well as the Old Courthouse are just a few of the attractions that draw tourists to this landmark each year.
- History
- When was the Gateway Arch completed, and what does it commemorate?
- Completed in 1965 to commemorate Thomas Jefferson and the role of St. Louis in the development of the Western United States, the Gateway Arch is one of the city’s best-known landmarks.
- Who originally proposed the idea for the Gateway Arch?
- Originally this monument was the brainchild of Luther Ely Smith, a well-known civic leader who saw this project not only as a homage to the city’s history but also as a way of reviving the riverfront area of the city.
- Who designed the Gateway Arch?
- Eero Saarinen’s design for the arch was selected during the national design competition, which took place between 1947 and 1948.
- When did construction of the Gateway Arch begin?
- After a few years spent perfecting Saarinen’s plans, the initial groundbreaking took place on June 23rd, 1959.
- Excavations began in 1961 and the last piece of the arch was secured into place by 1965.
- Was the Gateway Arch project completed on time and within budget?
- The fact that the whole project was completed on time, within budget, and without loss of life is a point of pride for the monument.
- When were the trams and visitor center added to the Gateway Arch?
- Two years after the completion of the arch, the trams that transport visitors to the arch’s summit were added alongside the visitors center.
- What additions were made after the arch was completed?
- A few years later, the Museum of Western Expansion was added beneath the arch.
- The arch celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 28th, 2015.
- Plans for the future of the Gateway Arch and the surrounding grounds include the completion of a continuous greenway which will connect Luther Ely Square, the Gateway Arch, and the riverfront.
- The Gateway Arch
- How tall is the Gateway Arch?
- The Gateway Arch is 630 feet tall, giving it a height equivalent to a 63-story building.
- How wide is the Gateway Arch?
- Between its outer legs, it measures 630 feet at ground level.
- The legs at the base of the structure are 54 feet wide, while the top of the structure is only 17 feet wide.
- What materials were used to build the Gateway Arch?
- The entire structure is composed of 142 sections of stainless steel, altogether weighing in at 43,226 tons.
- How deep are the foundations of the Gateway Arch?
- It sits on top of foundations that have been dug 60 feet below ground.
- Is there an observation deck at the top of the Gateway Arch?
- At the top of the arch, there is an observation deck complete with 16 small windows measuring 7 inches by 27 inches.
- How do visitors reach the top of the Gateway Arch?
- Visitors travel to the top of the arch via tram cars, which elevate at a speed of 340 feet per minute.
- What can visitors see from the top of the Gateway Arch?
- Once at the top, visitors should be able to see 30 miles in each direction provided that the weather is clear.
- The view westward showcases Missouri, including views of downtown St. Louis.
- Gazing eastward, visitors will see the Illinois side of the river.
- While the arch straddles the Mississippi River, 15 miles north of the arch the Missouri River meets the Mississippi River.
- The Grounds
- Who designed the landscape for the grounds surrounding the Gateway Arch?
- The landscape for the grounds surrounding the Gateway Arch was designed by architect Eero Saarinen and landscape architect Dan Kiley.
- How does the landscape design complement the Gateway Arch?
- Their goal was to echo the elegant lines of the arch by including elements that speak to its curvature without overshadowing it with intricacy.
- They accomplished this task by including winding walking paths, ponds, and carefully chosen greenery.
- Are visitors encouraged to explore the grounds?
- Visitors are encouraged to walk the grounds and reflect on the ways in which the design of the arch is mirrored in its surroundings.
Location: One Metropolitan Square, 211 North Broadway, Suite 700, St. Louis, MO 63102-2595, Phone: 877-982-1410, website, Map
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