The Arch

St. Louis, Missouri

Construction of the Arch began on February 12, 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965 for a total cost of $13 million.  The $11 million cost of the Arch, itself, was made up of 75% Federal funds and 25% City of St. Louis funds.  The $2 million Arch transportation system was financed by the Bi-State Development Agency.

The Arch has foundations sunk 60 feet into the ground and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds.  Rides are available to transport visitors 630 feet to the top of the Arch for exhilarating views. Allowing 10 feet for every story, the Arch is exactly 63 stories tall.  The observation platform at the top of the Arch is the only thing up there.

The unique tram system to the top takes 45-60 minutes and seats up to five people in each Gateway Arch tram.  The north tram was opened to the public on July 24, 1967.  The south tram was completed in 1968.  Each tram consists of eight cars that have clear doors on the front and are closed on the back.  Each car has a five-foot diameter.  Visitors with claustrophobia issues are invited to sit in the replica tram car by the ticketing counter before purchasing tickets.  

There are 16 windows on each side of the viewing area.  Each window is 7x27 inches and 0.75 inches thick.  Over 500 tons of pressure was used to jack the legs of the Arch apart for the last four-foot piece to be inserted at the top.  (video below shows this moment in construction of the Arch)    

Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen designed the iconic structure.  The ingenious tram ride to the top was designed by Dick Bowser.  There are 1,076 steps in the stairways of each leg and they are used by maintenance and emergency personnel, only. 

St. Louis and the Gateway Arch are both referred to as the "Gateway to the West".  The Arch is an inspirational symbol of Thomas Jefferson's vision of building a unified continental nation and St. Louis' role as a conflluence and gateway to the American West during the 19th century.  The park's museum interprets key individuals and cultural groups involved in exploring, exploiting and inhabiting the lands from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.  

Can you touch the arch?  Yes, you can!  Visitors are welcome to touch the arch though local legend says its shaped like a boomerang because if you touch it you'll never be able to leave St. Louis.  It will keep pulling you back.

The Arch is designed to sway as much as 18 inches in 150 mph winds though under normal conditions the Arch does not sway.  It takes a 50 mph wind to move the top 1 1/2 inches each side of center.  

In my travels through the years, I have visited St. Louis and taken the tram ride to the top of the famous Arch along the Mississippi River.