The Gateway Arch Symbolism

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Recommended: The influence of the westward movement on America

Ever since the discovery of our country, we have been classified as explorers. Moving from East to West, the city of St Louis, in Missouri, became the gateway city to the west. Over time this city and the arch that stands prominently on the shore of the Mississippi have come to symbolize westward movement. The Gateway Arch through purpose, design, and symbolism has become the visible representation of Thomas Jefferson’s philosophy and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States. The Gateway Arch is a monument standing as a symbol. The opening to the exploration of the western half of the country was a big accomplishment and St. Louis, Missouri was the city chosen to represent the expansion of our country. The design of …show more content…

The Gateway Arch, or “Gateway to the West,” is the main attraction of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the extraordinary monument built on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, which was considered “the oldest European city in the Midwest.”. The riverfront site in St. Louis, Missouri was selected in 1935 as the site where they would put the national monument to symbolize the 19th century westward expansion. In order to create the land where the monument would stand they purchased the area equivalent to 40 city blocks and cleared all the buildings that were standing in the way. Then in 1947 a group of citizens in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association, held a nationwide contest in search of an appropriate design for the monument. The winner of the contest was a Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarien, with the design of the now famous arch. The design consisted of it being built with stainless steel. After studies were completed to see if stainless steel would be feasible for this design, the construction began on February 12, 1963. The construction of the arch was completed in October 28, 1965. Then the …show more content…

The renovated grounds will allow visitors to walk from the Luther Ely Square to the Arch. The riverfront will be one continuous greenway without having a single curb or stair. This will allow easier access to the Arch and Gateway Arch riverboats. As well as adding new bike paths that connect with the existing bike trail networks. They are looking to increase the accessibility by adding gently sloped pathways from the Arch grounds down to the riverfront. In 2018, you can experience the accessibility to second floor exhibits in the Old Courthouse. There will also be added more convenient bus drop-offs and parking so groups can enjoy new green spaces for educational programs and

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