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May 29, 2018 · Though it’s an iconic landmark, there are a number of facts you might not know about the Gateway Arch. Here, we present eight of them. 1. Forty blocks of St. Louis were demolished to build the...
- Stefanie Waldek
Apr 10, 2015 · General Facts. Outer Width - Outside North Leg to Outer South Leg. 630' (192m) Maximum Height. 630' (192m) Shape of Arch Section. Equilateral Triangle. Dimension of Arch at Base. 54 ft. (16.46m) Dimension of Arch at Top. 17 ft. (5.18m) Size of Windows. Approx. 7" x 27" (180 mm x 690 mm) Construction of Windows.
- Meaning. Most people do not know that the monument has a unique meaning, it is given international recognition as the city’s symbol, and sure it is the city’s symbol.
- Location. It is centrally located at the Gateway Arch National Park, which was previously referred to as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial but later changed in 2018.
- Original committee formation. The idea of building the memorial at St. Louis riverfront was developed in 1933 when a civic leader known as Luther Ely Smith paid a visit to the George Rodgers Clark National Historical parks, Indiana.
- Project approval. How did the general public react when they received the news concerning the idea? Remember, it needs community approval before proceeding to other essential things of raising it.
The Gateway Arch is 630 feet high, making it the tallest monument in the United States. It is as wide as it is tall. We don’t know if it is also the widest monument. Construction began in 1961 and concluded October 28, 1965 with the installation of the final section.
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1. It’s The Smallest National Park
Let’s begin our interesting list of Gateway Park National Park Facts with the one which often attracts the most attention. At a mere 91 acres, Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest national park in America. It doesn’t even have a natural area. So why, you might ask, is it a national park? That’s a good question. Unfortunately, it’s not one that I can safely answer other to say that these decision are sometimes made on the basis of political considerations and having powerful friends in C...
2. The Park Was Originally Inspired By Jefferson’s Vision
If you’re interested in origin stories then one of the most interesting Gateway Arch National Park Facts is that St. Louis was the capitol of the Louisiana Territory from 1812 until Missouri gained statehood in 1821. It was the vision of America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, that Missouri should serve as the “Gateway to the West.” That vision is symbolized today by the iconic Gateway Arch. So, in fact, you could say that Jefferson’s Vision inspired both the arch and the park. CHECK OUT...
3. The Gateway Arch Represents The Jumping-Off Point Of America’s Age Of Westward Exploration
For me, one of the most intriguing of the Gateway Arch National Park Facts involves the fact that the arch represents the jumping-off point of 19th century America’s age of westward exploration. From the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase to Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery and the subsequent westward expansion of the North American continent, it is the doorway to America’s “manifest destiny.” Manifest Destiny, a phrase coined in 1845, is the idea that the United States is destined—by God, i...
6. A Finnish-American Architect Won A Nationwide Competition To Design The Famous Arch
Just when you thought we couldn’t come up with any more unbelievable Gateway Arch National Park Facts we’ve come up with another one. A nationwide design competition was launched in 1948 to determine what shape the Memorial would take. Architect Eero Saarinen’sdesign won and, in 1963, construction began on a stainless steel arch. Saarinen was a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer noted for his wide-ranging array of designs for buildings and monuments. Among his other designs we...
7. A 19th Century St. Louis Lawyer Who First Proposed A Riverfront Memorial For Thomas Jefferson Had A Park There Named In His Honor
As a retired history teacher I am always fascinated by the stories of the people behind these wonderful projects. One of my favorite of the Gateway Arch National Parks Facts has to do with just such a person. Luther Ely Smith was a 19th century St. Louis lawyer and civic booster who first proposed a riverfront memorial for President Thomas Jefferson. It was his efforts which led to the creation of the Gateway Arch. It is therefore fitting and appropriate that the park which bears his name sho...
8. There’s A Square That’s Also Named After The Same 19th Century Lawyer
And if a park wasn’t enough, there’s also a square that’s named in honor of the same 19th century St. Louis lawyer – Luther Ely Smith. Luther Ely Smith Squareis a magnificently landscaped green space, which leads to the entrance of the Arch. Visitors to the area can enjoy unique plantings, picnic areas, and more than 300 feet of benches. For history buffs, there’s also the Museum of Westward Expansion, which is located below the Arch. This museum contains an extensive collection of artifacts,...
List Of Gateway Arch National Park Facts
1. It’s The Smallest National Park 2. The Park Was Originally Inspired By Jefferson’s Vision 3. The Gateway Arch Represents The Jumping-Off Point Of America’s Age Of Westward Exploration 4. Gateway Arch Has A Visitor Center That Is Second To None 5. The Iconic Gateway Arch Is One Of The Most Recognizable & Beloved Landmarks In The U.S. 6. A Finnish-American Architect Won A Nationwide Competition To Design The Famous Arch 7. A 19th Century St. Louis Lawyer Who First Proposed A Riverfront Memor...
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re int...
Aug 3, 2015 · St. Louis’s glimmering Gateway Arch has a lot to brag about: At 630 feet, it's America’s tallest memorial, the Western Hemisphere’s tallest monument, and the world’s tallest arch. But the tribute...
May 21, 2019 · May 21, 2019. • 5 min read. In the half-century since its construction began, Missouri’s Gateway Arch has been many things: a monument to Thomas Jefferson’s historic frontier, a commemoration...
