Saint Charles, Missouri
Friday, October 2, 2009
Established in 1935, the 630 foot stainless steel Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the westward expansion of the United States. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott, a slave, who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the spread of freedom and democracy from "sea to shining sea" inspired Eero Saarinen’s masterpiece of modern design. The Arch was built between 1963 and 1965 and surprisingly no lives were lost in the process. Gateway Arch facts: outer width: 630 feet; height 630 feet; capacity on observation platform: 100-140 persons.
