What's inside of the Gateway Arch? (St. Louis, Missouri)

Summary

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is the world's tallest arch at 192 meters. Designed by Eero Saarinen, it symbolizes the 'Gateway to the West' and was constructed between 1963-1965. The unique orthotropic design has no internal structure, relying on its outer stainless steel for support. Visitors can ride a tram to the observation deck at the top, offering panoramic views of St. Louis. The arch also houses a museum detailing its history and the city's role in westward expansion.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Gateway Arch is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and symbolizes the 'Gateway to the West', representing the westward expansion of the United States.
• 🏗️ Constructed between 1963 and 1965, the arch is 192 meters high, making it the world's tallest arch and costing approximately 13 million US dollars at the time.
• 📏 The arch's shape is an inverted catenary curve, which is efficient at supporting its own weight.
• 🔍 The arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, who won a design competition with his unique concept.
• 🏭 The construction involved equilateral triangular sections made of stainless steel on the outside and carbon steel on the inside, fabricated in Pittsburgh and shipped to St. Louis.
• 🚧 A unique construction method was used where the arch was built from both sides meeting in the middle, using a mobile crane called a Creeper Derrick.
• 🔩 The final piece, the keystone, was a significant event that required precise alignment and cooling the south leg with water to fit it.
• 🚠 The tram system inside the arch is inspired by the Ferris wheel, allowing passengers to travel up the curved structure in enclosed cars.
• 🏛️ Beneath the arch, there's a museum detailing the history of St. Louis, the Mississippi Riverfront, and the construction of the arch itself.
• 🌳 The surrounding area, now known as Gateway Arch National Park, offers over eight kilometers of trails and a renovated plaza for visitors to explore.

Q & A

What is the height of the Gateway Arch?

The Gateway Arch is 192 meters high.

What is the purpose of the Gateway Arch?

The Gateway Arch was built to honor the legacy of Westward Expansion and symbolize the 'Gateway to the West'.

Who designed the Gateway Arch?

The design of the Gateway Arch was created by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.

How much did the construction of the Gateway Arch cost?

The construction cost was 13 million US dollars, which is almost equivalent to 100 million US dollars in the year 2024.

What is unique about the shape of the Gateway Arch?

The shape of the Gateway Arch is an inverted catenary curve, which is the shape that best supports its own weight.

How was the construction of the Gateway Arch different from typical buildings?

The Gateway Arch has an orthotropic design, meaning it has no internal structure; the exterior metal is the structure supporting all the weight.

What was the method used to transport people to the top of the Gateway Arch?

A tram system inspired by the design of a Ferris wheel was used to transport people to the top of the arch.

How many people can the tram system transport at a time?

With both trams operating, it can transport 80 people at a time.

What is the significance of the keystone in the Gateway Arch's construction?

The keystone is the last piece installed during the construction of the arch, and it signifies the completion of the structure.

What is the name of the area surrounding the Gateway Arch?

The area surrounding the Gateway Arch is called the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, renamed to the Gateway Arch National Park in 2018.

How long does it take to reach the top of the Gateway Arch using the tram?

It takes four minutes to get to the top of the Gateway Arch using the tram.