A Monument for the Ages

“It should be parallel to the river, […] like a triumphal arch” (61).

  

The Book

The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch by Jim Merkel introduces the reader to the stories behind one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

A reporter first proposed a park commemorating the history of St. Louis and its impact on westward expansion in 1908. It wasn’t until 1947 that a competition was held for the design of that park and monument. Out of 172 entries, Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel arch design was chosen unanimously. “Neither an obelisk nor a rectangular box nor a dome seemed right on this site for this purpose,” Eero Saarinen had said. “But here, at the edge of the Mississippi River, a great arch did seem right” (148). The first piece of the Gateway Arch was finally put in place in February 1963 and the last piece was lowered into place on October 28, 1965. During construction, the Gateway Arch’s foundation consumed 25,980 tons of concrete and the Gateway Arch itself required 5,199 tons of steel and 12,127 tons of concrete.

Merkel provides the reader with firsthand knowledge from the people (or their families) who worked on the project and newspaper accounts. The reader learns how the shape was finally achieved and that the width and height of the Gateway Arch are the same: 630 feet. The chapters are short and by topic, although sometimes randomly placed. There are pictures throughout the book that provide a glimpse of the people and construction process. Overall, The Making of an Icon is easy to read and allows the reader to appreciate the work that went into the Gateway Arch. 

The Place

Officially, the Gateway Arch is a part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which is operated and maintained by the National Park Service. The Gateway Arch sits on the western banks of the Mississippi River and towers over everything on the ground.

The entrance to the Museum of Westward Expansion and trams is underneath the Gateway Arch. Inside, visitors will find a history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the American Indian, and pioneers. The museum is free, but a ride to the top of the Gateway Arch requires a paid ticket. The price is reasonable and definitely worth it. A replica tram is in the visitor center for visitors who might have difficulty with tight spaces. The ride to the top takes about three minutes and once at the top, you can see for miles to the east and west. The views are incredible, and so is the knowledge that you’re standing in a major engineering and construction achievement.