Gateway Arch - St Louis, Missouri
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (JNEM) was created in 1935, and became part of the National Park Service.

Civic leader Luther Ely Smith conceived the idea of building a memorial to help revive the riverfront and memorialize the story of the nation’s westward expansion. Through a nationwide design competition conducted 1947–1948, Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel Arch was chosen as the memorial that would celebrate the accomplishments of early pioneers. St. Louis celebrated with a groundbreaking on June 23, 1959.

Over the next few years, Saarinen perfected his design and workers began excavating the grounds in 1961.

In 1962, the Bi-State Development Agency (BSDA) was asked to finance the $2 million tram system that transports visitors to and from the top of the Arch. Meanwhile, it took steadfast coordination to put every piece of the Arch into place until the final section at the top of the Arch was secured on October 28, 1965.

Trams became operational in 1967, thanks to the funds that BSDA raised by selling revenue bonds. In the same year, the Visitor Center, with exhibits, opened to the public.

Less than a decade later, the massive Museum of Westward Expansion opened beneath the Arch, featuring exhibits on St. Louis’ role as the Gateway to the West. Improvements to the monument continued as engineers added floodlights to illuminate the Arch exterior in 2001. Approximately two years later, the Grand Staircase, which spans from the levee at the Mississippi River banks to the base of the Arch, was completed.


Gateway Arch Fact Sheet

&gt; Outer Width - Outside North Leg to Outer South Leg:
630 ft.
&gt; Maximum Height:
630 ft.
&gt; Shape of Arch Section:
Equilateral Triangle
&gt; Dimension of Arch at Base:
54 ft.
&gt; Dimension of Arch at Top:
17 ft.
&gt; Size of Windows:
Approx. 7&quot; x 27&quot;
&gt; Construction of Windows:
3/4 in. Plate Glass; Hinged and Locked
&gt; Size of Observation Room:
7' 2&quot; x 65' x 6' 9&quot; high
&gt; Capacity of Observation Platform:
100 - 140 persons
&gt; Deflection of Arch:
18&quot; in 150 MPH wind
&gt; Number of Sections in Arch:
142
&gt; Thickness of Plates for Outer Skin:
1/4 inch
&gt; Type of Material Used in Arch Exterior:
Stainless Steel; #3 Finish Type 304

More information can be found at:
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/gateway-arch.htm" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/gateway-arch.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.gatewayarch.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.gatewayarch.com/</a>

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D5200 and combined with Photomatix to create this HDR image.  Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

&quot;For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.&quot;  ~Jeremiah 29:11
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