This week’s virtual stopover on my 2024 journey to America’s Amazing Places is at Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri. This unique and captivating destination got off to a very controversial start. You might even say the beginnings of the arch were the stuff of scandals. Join me now for a visit to this engineering marvel, which is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. While you’re here, enjoy this week’s jigsaw puzzle, which is from the National Park Service archives.
The History Behind Gateway Arch National Park
The park honors the role of President Thomas Jefferson and the pioneers who contributed to the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century. This period was marked by significant exploration, settlement, and development of land beyond the Mississippi River.
The park’s original name was the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. It was built to honor President Thomas Jefferson and commemorate the Louisiana Purchase, which he negotiated in 1803.
In 2018, the site was redesignated as Gateway Arch National Park to better reflect its iconic centerpiece and to emphasize its status as a national park.
Did You Know?
Gateway Arch National Park controversy
The initial plans for the park were met with considerable disapproval from the local St. Louis community, which was skeptical about the project’s feasibility and necessity. There is speculation that the vote to approve the construction of the Gateway Arch might have been rigged to ensure that the project would go forward.
Design competition mixup
The design of the Gateway Arch was the result of a nationwide competition won by architect Eero Saarinen in 1947. While this should have been a straightforward way to select a winner, things got mixed up when a father and son both entered the competition. Eero Saarinen won the competition, but the son, Eliel Saarinen was notified he’d won by mistake.
Who designed that cool tram?
The answer is Richard Bowser, who was an elevator technician and innovator with no formal training. Faced with the unique challenge of creating a transportation system that could navigate the curved interior of the Arch, Bowser developed a hybrid solution combining elements of an elevator, an escalator, and a Ferris wheel.
Final thoughts and looking forward
The Gateway Arch National Park is not only a landmark but also a symbol of innovation and determination. Its unique design and history continue to captivate visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a visit to Gateway Arch National Park is sure to be an experience unlike any other. Stop back next week for a virtual trip to Glacier National Park. It’s guaranteed to be a cool experience.
Did you miss last week’s Friday Morning Post and jigsaw puzzle? If you did, you can use this link to view Exploring the Natchez Trace Parkway now. If you want to check out all my posts and puzzles, click here.
5:57
5:57. Wow a place that I’ve actually visited. Thanks for the photo. The view from the top is awesome.
You’re right, Laura! It is pretty awesome up there.
My time is 11:17.
6:52, our family went up in the arch when I was really small. Must have been not long after it opened.
9:03
I have tickets to see the arch en route to Nashville and Bouchercon the end of August.
I have been to STL for a conference, but never had time to see the arch.
We are also lucky to have tickets to see the baseball Cardinals game the night before.
All because there were no cheap direct flights from SFO to Nashville.
9.06 interesting shapes and gradations of color!
6:32 it looked a lot harder than it was!
7:28
I went inside the Arch and up to the top of it. Really high up t here!
On the ground level there is a gallery of photos of the early story of St Louis.
We went to the top, too. It’s an amazing piece of architecture.