One of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, the Gateway Arch is a 1,200-foot-tall monument to St. Louis.
The stainless steel structure was built to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase, a transaction that doubled U.S. territory without firing a single shot or causing any bloodshed whatsoever.
Famed architect Eero Saarinen designed it as an open invitation for all Americans to come to explore their natural frontier.
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Gateway Arch facts for kids
- The Arch is located in the city of St. Louis, Missouri
- At 630 feet tall, the Arch is the equivalent of 63 stories.
- It was designed by Eero Saarinen
- Construction started on February 12, 1963, and finished on October 28, 1965.
- It has 33 steel trusses that hold up the 263-feet length of the Arch.
- Over 80,000 tons of steel were used in construction.
Who was Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen was born in Helsinki, Finland, on October 20, 1910. He died July 1, 1961, at the age of 50. Today Saarinen is regarded as a master of American architecture.
It was the centerpiece of an urban renewal plan to transform a decaying waterfront into a tourist destination and recreational area.
What are some fun facts about the Gateway Arch?
It is the tallest man-made monument arch in the Western Hemisphere
It’s 630 feet tall
It took 178 days to construct
There are 11,000,000 rivets in the entire structure
There are 160 steps to reach.
It has a total of 227 tons of steel.
Why was the gateway arch built?
Since the Civil War, St. Louis has been a city of architecture, focusing primarily on tall buildings and parks. A large monument to the City of St. Louis was needed to define the place of St. Louis in the country.
It was initially planned to be of similar size to the Great Pyramid in Giza, a pyramid that is 440 feet tall and weighs 6 million tons.
It was designed to be the tallest man-made monument in the world, higher than any other obelisk or pyramid ever built.
How high is the Gateway Arch?
It is 630 feet tall (192 m) from the ground to the top of the highest pinnacle.
Does the Gateway Arch sway
It is a bit off-center, but you can feel it when standing next to it, especially if it is windy. The shape of the Arch is a wedge with two sharp corners pointing to the sky.
How much does it cost to visit the Gateway Arch?
It will cost $3 per person to enter the grounds. You might be required to reserve a spot to enter the viewing area of the arch itself. The best thing to do is check out the website for any updates and access the online booking for visiting.
https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/fees.htm
When was the gateway arch built?
The Gateway Arch was completed on February 12, 1963. It was designed by Eero Saarinen.
Its construction cost 13 million dollars (equivalent to $150 million today).
What is the gateway arch made of
The Gateway Arch comprises the main body and the top cap. The main body consists of three arches, each supported on concrete piers. Stainless steel is on the outside, and carbon steel is on the inside.
They combine to carry gravity and wind loads. The Arch has no real structural skeleton and relies on its weight to support itself.
Why is the gateway arch important?
The Gateway Arch was built to enter St Louis for visitors from Illinois. It symbolizes the importance of the city to the state.
How many stories is the st Louis arch
The Arch, if one allows 10 feet for every story, is 63 stories tall if we allow 10 feet for each story.
How old is the st Louis Gateway Arch
The Arch was complete in 1965
How long did it take to build the gateway arch?
It took 2.5 years to build the Arch.
Interesting Facts about the Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch National Park is a memorial park in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, named for a stainless steel monument that stands 630 feet (192 meters). It features sculptures and a visitor center with information on St. Louis’s history and architecture.
Even though the visitor center was started at the same time as the Arch, its construction did not finish until 1976 due to inadequate funds. However, the center was opened on June 10, 1967, with exhibits.
At the time of its installation, the monument’s cost was estimated to be around $13 million, equivalent to approximately $120 million in current money.
The observation deck at the top of the Arch deceptively appears to be tiny, yet it holds up to 160 people. The deck measures 7 feet 2 inches by 6 feet 9 inches.
It is the tallest Arch in the world and a monument to westward expansion.
Dick Bowser developed a tram system to carry visitors to the top of the Arc de Triomphe in just two weeks. It was modeled on the triumphal arch design.
The museum at the base of the Arch gives visitors a glimpse of what everyday life was like in the early 1800s. And an overview of Louis’s history and the westward expansion.
