The Gateway Arch, designed by Finnish-born, American-educated architect Eero Saarinen, was built to commemorate President Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and to honor St. Louis' pivotal role in the subsequent fast westward development. The arch is also known as "The World's Largest Monument to an Idealistic Young Man." Its height is 73 feet (22 meters), and its base covers about 164 acres (66 hectares). The interior of the arch has four levels, each with its own theme: the top three are exhibition galleries, while the bottom level is open air with lawns, trees, and gardens.
The arch was meant to be not just a monument for St. Louis but for the country as well. At the time it was built, many people doubted that such a huge structure could be constructed by hand. But Eero Saarinen proved them wrong by building the arch in six years time for only $750,000 ($8 million in today's money). It was opened to the public on May 30, 1965. Since then, it has become one of America's most popular attractions.
You may have seen photos or movies of people climbing inside the arch. This used to be possible, but now only advanced climbers with proper equipment can enter the arch. There are no guards at the entrance nor any other security measures; anyone who wanted could have entered the arch before it was made safe.
The Gateway Arch, the nation's highest landmark, has welcomed tourists for fifty years with its distinctive, awe-inspiring form. The Gateway Arch, designed by famous architect Eero Saarinen, celebrates Thomas Jefferson's vision and St. Louis' significance in the United States' westward development. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
The arch was built between 1965 and 1972 at a cost of $14 million ($48 million today), and it stands 456 feet high. The main body of the arch is made of reinforced concrete with aluminum panels used for the exterior. Inside the arch there are three floors connected by two wide staircases. On the first floor there are gift shops and restaurants as well as an exhibition called "America's Road."
On the second floor there are more gift shops and restaurants along with an observation deck with great views of the city and surrounding areas. Visitors can see all the way to the Mississippi River from here.
The top floor is called "Sky Room," and it offers even better views than the observation deck. Here you can walk across glass ceilings on which are painted pictures of St. Louis neighborhoods outside their original locations (now in Missouri). There are also four huge pillars supporting the roof. These pillars are made of stainless steel and contain forty-one bells that chime every hour, day and night.
The Gateway Arch, which is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, commemorates the achievements of 19th-century westward pioneers and celebrates the city's status as the "Gateway to the West." The city conducted a countrywide competition to design the new monument from 1947 to 1948. The entry by Arthur Erickson was selected over more than 70 others.
The memorial consists of two sculptures by Ferdinand Bartholdi, one representing Missouri and the other Illinois. These are flanked by four pillars carved with the names of cities and towns that were settled by pioneers from each of these states. Above the entrance is a statue of Thomas Jefferson, who designed the memorial. It stands on a granite base covered with rock from every state in the Union.
The arch itself is an inverted "U" shape made up of two parts: an upper structure called the Gateway Plaza, and a lower structure called the Foundation Plaza. The two plazas are connected by an underground corridor called the Arch Way. When the arch was first opened to the public in 1968, it was only open for three hours a day because of concerns about its stability. However, since then, some changes have been made to increase mobility for those using the arch and its surrounding areas. In addition, interactive displays have been installed inside the arch itself to provide more information about its history.
The arch is located on Arch Street between Jefferson Boulevard and Mississippi Avenue.
The Gateway Arch commemorates St. Louis' role in the United States' Westward Expansion during the nineteenth century. The park honors Thomas Jefferson's role in establishing the West, the pioneers who helped create its history, and Dred Scott, who sued for his release in the Old Courthouse. The case was decided against him by an all-white jury but was later ruled upon by the Supreme Court of the United States which found that he were not entitled to freedom because he were property and not people. His owners took him back to Missouri where the court decision stood.
St. Louis has been called the "Gateway to the West" because of its important place in American history. In fact, so many important events have taken place here that it's hard to know where to begin! The Louisiana Purchase Exhibition Center tells the story of how France and America grew together through trade. The Missouri History Museum has great exhibits on early Missouri life and culture. And if you're a fan of Elvis Presley, don't miss the Graceland Mansion Tour. It's one of the most famous homes in America!
But perhaps the best reason to visit St. Louis is food! There are so many different restaurants with unique menus that you will never get bored eating out here. If you're looking for traditional American dishes, there are plenty of choices for that too! Vietnamese noodles, Mexican food, Italian pasta, French cuisine...the list goes on and on!
The new monument was to be "a living testament to Jefferson's vision of increased chances for men of all races and creeds," according to the competition's call for entries. "The arch signified the door to the West, national growth, and whatever," Saarinen stated of his design. "It was meant to be a symbol of the open road ahead."
The National Park Service notes that the arch was intended to represent "the ideal of human liberty" and that it incorporates many American symbols including the compass rose, the olive branch, and the eagle holding a shield with 13 arrows pierced through it. The park service also states that the arch was meant to honor those who had fought for America's freedom during times of war and violence.
Saarinen used as a compass rose an ancient Greek symbol for direction which he placed at the top of each side of the arch. The center of the rose is composed of four equal parts, representing the four seasons. It is surrounded by a wreath of olive branches, which are in turn enclosed by an oval band of thirteen arrows arranged in two rows of six arrows each. These rows symbolize the original settlers of North America. They are followed by the date 1836, the year construction on the arch began.
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