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.

A Trip to Yesterday

“…Ford’s great museum and reconstructed village reflected his conviction that history was the story of technological progress” (403).

“Greenfield Village aimed to present ‘a history that is intimate and alive, instead of something in a book,’ Ford explained in 1929” (413).

The Book

Author Steven Watts divides The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century chronologically and topically. Watts defines each stage of Henry Ford’s life with a word: mechanic, inventor, father, educator, etc. The reader is introduced to a young farm boy who grew up to influence many aspects of American life. Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863 near Dearborn, Michigan. At a young age he became interested in mechanics and began work on his first car in 1893. In 1898, Ford obtained his first financial backers and began his quest to create a car for the average person.

In the late 1920s, Ford became interested in sharing his collection of American artifacts with the public. Out of this came Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Ford sought to show how the average person lived and required total authenticity. Instead of focusing on politicians or war (which is often what history focuses on), Ford’s history was about the average person and his accomplishments. Greenfield Village particularly supported that history through the four categories: daily life in the past, famous Americans (like Webster and Edison), Henry Ford’s life, and the anchors of towns in the past: a town hall and church.

Watts provides a detailed and well researched biography of a man that is well-known to Americans. The People’s Tycoon is not just the story of Henry Ford, it is also the story of his companies and the people who helped Ford accomplish what he did. It is here that the narrative struggles: by stepping away from Ford’s story and providing biographies of others. The format (chronological and topical) requires some repeating of information, which is helpful due to the length of the book. Overall, the reader walks away with a complete biography of Henry Ford that reveals the good and the bad. 

The Place

Originally called the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford now refers to both the museum and village. The museum is a fantastic collection of famous and everyday items from the history of America. Visitors can see presidential limousines, items made in America, and the role automobiles played in American history. The village provides a living history that all ages can enjoy. Majority of these buildings are the originals that were disassembled in their original location, shipped to Michigan, and reassembled. Visitors can explore Thomas Edison’s laboratory where he developed the light bulb, the bicycle shop of the Wright brothers, and take a ride in a replica Model T. I would recommend at least two days at the Henry Ford, because there is so much to see and experience. The Henry Ford is a great place to experience the history of America.

Another Ford sight in Dearborn is the Fair Lane Estate, the home of Henry Ford and his family. The buildings are currently being restored, but the grounds are open to the public. While the Henry Ford provides visitors an insight into American history, the Fair Lane Estate provides visitors an insight into the life of Henry Ford. 
 

A Nation Remembers

“By the dawn of the twentieth century, Arlington had matured into something more than a Civil War cemetery; it had become a national symbol for sacrifice and honor, a rallying point for veterans, for ordinary visitors, and for solemn ceremony” (119).

The Book

On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole provides the reader with a history of America’s most famous cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery was born out of the Civil War and has been inexplicable linked to each of America’s wars since then. The land originally belonged to Mary Custis Lee, the wife of Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. When Robert E. Lee chose to resign from the Union and lead the Confederate army, Arlington became a part of the Union’s defense of Washington, DC. Throughout much of its early history, the cemetery was a bridge, and was caught, between the struggle between the North and the South.

Arlington began as a 200 acre cemetery in 1864 and has grown to 624 acres. The white tombstones were put into practice in 1874 and the Tomb of the Unknown was dedicated on November 11, 1921. The United States Army Old Guard is tasked with the twenty-four hour guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown. The best part of On Hallowed Ground is Poole’s description of the Old Guard and their reverence for the Unknown Soldiers.

Overall, Poole does a good job explaining the creation of the cemetery and the people involved. However, some aspects of Arlington’s history and traditions are glossed over in deference to other events. For example, Poole spends an entire chapter on President Kennedy’s funeral, while only a couple of pages detailing the Old Guard. This decision plays into the complaints Poole details from the families who lost ordinary soldiers: more important people were often given more prominent burial plots and better funerals than the ordinary soldier.

The Place


Arlington NationalCemetery is located across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Tours are available and they stop at the Tomb of the Unknown, President Kennedy gravesite, and Arlington House. Visitors can pick up a map at the Visitor Center to find the gravesites of famous Americans or family members.

The Tomb of the Unknown is humbling and the viewing of the changing of the guard is a unique experience. As you stand in the crowd, all you hear is the clicking of the soldier’s heels and you are struck by the sacrifice of the Unknowns and their families. Across from the Tomb of the Unknown are several memorials for the USS Maine, the Iran Hostage Rescue Team, and the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia. At the Arlington House, you have a sweeping view of the Potomac River and Washington, DC. Just in front of Arlington House lies Pierre Charles L’Enfant. L’Enfant was a Frenchmen who served in the Revolutionary War and designed the layout for the new capital city: Washington, DC. For his devotion to his adopted country, L’Enfant’s grave has the best view.

A visit to Arlington is not your typical tourist stop; it is a cemetery and visitors are expected to be reverent and respectful.

Give My Regards to Broadway

“As late as the turn of the century, the stage was truly a national construction. It was centered on Broadway, but there was much creative activity in other regions; Chicago had almost has many theatres as New York. However the expansion of theatre […] in the 1910s and 1920s made New York more than the center of activity: the source of it” (106).

The Book

Anything Goes: A History of the American Musical Theatre by Ethan Mordden follows the birth of the musical in America and the resulting innovations and genres. Mordden traces the first musical produced (The Beggar’s Opera in London) in 1728 to the birth of the American musical (The Black Crook) in 1866 to the present day blockbuster Wicked. As the musical evolved, innovations were first made in the score, then set design, and then the book itself. Once all three of these innovations were accomplished, unique characters became the norm for any musical.

While an interesting book, Anything Goes often feels like a detailed list. The plots for some musicals are described in detail and others are glossed over. Generous time is given to several key figures in American musical history, some are well-known names like Rodgers and Hammerstein and some are not as well-known like Victor Herbert. Mordden does well when he shows the way musicals changed and incorporated new and old concepts. Throughout the book, the American musical is shown maturing from shows with unrelated to songs to shows where “the script told the story and the score enhanced it in various ways” (119).

The Place

Broadway is synonymous with the American musical and the best way to experience Broadway is to attend a musical. TKTS provides day-of tickets at half the price. My friend and I bought our tickets through TKTS when we saw The Phantom of the Opera. Our seats were on the first floor towards the back and we had a great view of the stage. All shows on Broadway are offered, as long as there are empty seats for that date.

In the heart of Broadway is the restaurant Sardi’s. Mordden doesn’t mention Sardi’s in Anything Goes, but it is a large part of the American musical. Many casts would go to Sardi’s after opening night to wait for the first reviews. If you don’t have time to see a show or eat at Sardi’s, simply walking past the historic theatres is also a great way to experience Broadway. Each theatre has a story about past shows (hits and flops) and the actors who walked the stage. 

A Network of Bridges and Canals

“No one forgets a first glimpse of Venice […] there is a startling moment when one looks across the waves and finds what should not be there-stone towers, rich churches, and packed buildings rising up out of the sea” (9).

The Book

Venice: A New History by Thomas F. Madden packs a lot of history into an easy to read book. The topic is interesting and not difficult to understand; there is just enough history and facts for the average person. Madden begins with an introduction that provides a brief overview to Venice, explains the reason for the book, and piques the reader’s interest.

Once the reader’s interest is piqued, Madden dives into a chronological history of Venice. The reader will be struck by the fiercely independent, both politically and religiously, people and their early focus on business. Madden says, “For more than a thousand years Venice had been the only republic in the world-one that flourished in an age of kings, emperors, and tyrants. It did so […] because it was a state built purely on commerce” (358). The focus of Venice: A New History is on the city, the empire, and the people who built it.

It is difficult to provide a concise summary of Venice: A New History within the constraints of this blog, because Venice has a rich history that reaches all the way back to the Roman Empire. Venice officially became a city in 810, but its first inhabitants arrived during the 5^th century.  The city saw the break-up of the Roman Empire, participated in numerous crusades, watched the fall of the Byzantine Empire, experienced the shift of power in Western Europe, and survived to become a favorite tourist destination. Venice was an independent republic until 1797 when Napoleon conquered and looted the city. Until the unification of Italy in 1866, Venice was under French or Austrian rule.

I highly recommend reading this book. Both past and future tourists and students of history will find so much more information about Venice. Readers will finish this book with a new appreciation for the impact this city has had, whether in government, religion, banking, or culture.

The Place

The Venice today still looks the same as it did during the city’s heyday. Basilica di SanMarco was completed in 1094. The Piazza San Marco area was completed by 1177. It truly is amazing to stand in the Piazza and look at the impressive architecture, beautiful artwork and history surrounding you. During Venice’s independence as a city, this Piazza was the seat of government and public expression. Just around the corner from the Basilica di San Marco are the Bridge of Sighs and a phenomenal view of the lagoon.

Another highlight of Venice is the Rialto Bridge which spans the Grand Canal, and was built during the 16^th century. The Grand Canal, similar to a Main St., is packed with boats and gondolas while the Rialto Bridge is lined with shops that provide all types of souvenirs. My friend said to me when I visited, “Venice is a wandering city.” The best type of visit is simply walking around and exploring alleyways and canals. It is a tourist city and will most likely be crowded. However, if you are content wandering you will find hidden parks or bridges over a residential canal.

“As a republic in an age of monarchy and a capitalist economy in a time of agrarian feudalism, Venice has always stood apart from the world while simultaneously catering to its needs. In that respect, nothing has changed. Then, as now, Venice remains a city of honor and profit” (427). 

The Boy and the Fair

“Do you remember the Midway? The Snake-Eater, and the Living Skeleton, the Fat Woman and the Shoot the Chute, the Scenic Railway and the Ferris Wheel?” (50).

The Book

The Lost Boy by Thomas Wolfe is a unique book that is enjoyable to read. Wolfe breaks the book into four parts that are all connected by two things: his older brother Grover and the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Grover died after a trip to the Fair and his death is linked to the family’s memories of the Fair.

Part One is narrated by a third person and introduces the reader to Grover. The focus is less on dialogue and more on describing Grover and his day in the town square. At the end, Grover sees a sign for the Fair. Part Two is a re-telling of the train ride to the Fair by Grover’s mother to Wolfe. The mother relives the excitement of the Fair and her love for Grover. Part Three is a re-telling of trips to the Fair by Grover’s older sister to Wolfe. This part is written like a one-sided conversation and the sister recalls the day Grover became sick. Part Four finds Wolfe returning to the family’s home in St. Louis and re-calling the year of the Fair. Throughout this part, Wolfe is looking for the home and Grover.

The introduction provides background on Wolfe and his family which helps the reader to understand the context. Wolfe writes descriptively and provides the words for the reader to visualize the places and people. The Lost Boy delves into the loss felt by a family after the early death of a child in an interesting way. The family recalls Grover and the impact he is still having on their lives, all while underneath the shadow of memories of the Fair.

The Place

Forest Park was the home of the 1904 World’s Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition) and the 1904 Summer Olympics. The Park is a huge plot of land just to the west of downtown St. Louis and there are many attractions. Visitors can visit the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center, and St. Louis Zoo. In addition to picnics and walking trails, there are also paddleboats. The Muny is an outdoor theatre that puts on musicals throughout the summer.

There is plenty of parking at Forest Park and majority of the attractions are free. The park provides signs that point out directions for points of interest. When I visited, my friends and I walked through the St. Louis Art Museum. The pieces on display provide a wide variety of art styles; my favorite was the large water lily piece by Monet. We also visited the World’s Fair Pavilion. According to the Forest Park website, this building was “built in 1909 with proceeds from the 1904 World's Fair.” Although it wasn’t standing during the Fair, a walk up to the Pavilion provides a great view of the Park.

Chicago's South Side Team

“Comiskey Park, however, appeared grand, as you would expect from a place that by 1911 billed itself the Baseball Palace of the World” (ix).

The Book

Baseball Palace of the World: The Last Year of Comiskey Park by Douglas Bukowski is a fan’s reflections on baseball, the White Sox, and the last season in Comiskey Park. Comiskey Park was built in 1910, by White Sox owner Charles Comiskey, and enlarged in 1926. According to Bukowski, “Comiskey Park is not just some bricks and grandstands […]; it is a design meant to fit the working-class neighborhood of Bridgeport” (11). Designer Zachary Taylor Davis created a park that would fit the neighborhood and provide closeness between the players and fans. Comiskey Park was the host of the first All-Star Game and was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. However, the decision was made in the late 1980s to build a new stadium.

Baseball Palace of the World is a result of this decision to demolish Comiskey Park. The chapters are broken into months from October 1989 to September 1990. Each chapter provides information about the White Sox’s seasons, Bukowski’s reflections on the history of the park, and his cynicism towards the new stadium. Throughout the book, Bukowski discusses the difference between a ballpark and a stadium. The ballpark provided a connection between the players and fans; a stadium does not allow for that connection. The reader can’t help sympathizing with the Sox fans that fought to keep the park and its unique history. 

The Place

Having visited both Wrigley Field and US Cellular Field (the White Sox Stadium), I understand the difference between a ballpark and stadium. I would have to agree with Bukowski that a stadium misses an aspect that the ballpark provides.

Today, a parking lot sits on the land Comiskey Park once occupied and US Cellular Field is across the street. The Home Plate from Comiskey Park is on display by Gate 5, Lot B. Statues of famous Sox players and Charles Comiskey are located around the stadium. According to the White Sox website, US Cellular Field includes an exploding scoreboard and arches, both nods to the original Comiskey Park. Even though it is not Comiskey Park, it is still fun to attend a White Sox game; US Cellular Field provides great views of the Chicago skyline and surrounding neighborhoods.