The Gateway Arch is subject of a few different books and is the most known landmark in St. Louis.
The process which led to the construction of the Arch began in 1933 when the
St. Louis Mayor Dickman assembled a group of businessmen who formed the
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association. A Joint Resolution from
Congress followed in 1934. In 1935,the City passed a $7.5 million bond issue
and, along with $9 million in WPA funds, began acquisition and clearance of a
40-block area. After this nothing significant happened until 1948 when
architectural competition was won by Eero Saarinen. Saarinen design was
for a 630 foot tall stainless steel clad catenary curve shaped arch.
Construction of the Arch began in 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965,
for a total cost of less than $15 million. The Arch has foundations sunk 60 feet
into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds; it sways
up to 1 inch in a 20 mph wind, and is built to sway up to 18 inches.
| 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 |
3/4 in. (19mm) Plate Glass; Hinged and Locked |
| Size of Observation Room |
7' 2" x 65' x 6' 9" high (2.18m x 19.8m x 2.06m) |
| Capacity of Observation Platform |
100 - 140 persons |
| Deflection of Arch |
18" in 150 MPH wind (0.46 m in 240 km/h wind) |
| Method of Determining Deflection of Arch |
Calculations and Wind Tunnel Tests (240 km/h) |
| Number of Sections in Arch |
142 |
| Thickness of Plates for Outer Skin |
1/4" (6.3mm) |
| Type of Material Used in Arch Exterior |
Stainless Steel; #3 Finish Type 304 |
| Structural Capacity of Observation Area |
100 lb/sq. ft (488 kg/m) |