Gateway Arch Timeline

(1933 - Present)

The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot stainless steel monument in St. Louis, Missouri, designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Built between 1963 and 1965 as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it commemorates the westward expansion of the United States and stands today as the tallest arch and monument in the Western Hemisphere. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Origins and Planning

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial established

Dec 21, 1935

Congress authorized the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on the St. Louis riverfront, commemorating Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase and westward expansion, setting the stage for a major monument on the site.

Image source: Gateway Arch National Park

Demolition of riverfront buildings begins

Oct 9, 1939

Workers began demolishing some 40 blocks of warehouses and industrial buildings along the St. Louis riverfront to clear land for the memorial grounds.

Luther Ely Smith dies

Apr 2, 1951

Luther Ely Smith, the civic leader whose vision and fundraising drove the creation of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, died before seeing his dream realized.

Image source: Luther Ely Smith

Federal funding approved under Eisenhower

May 17, 1954

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation authorizing $11 million in federal funds for the Gateway Arch project, supplemented by local bonds approved by St. Louis voters.

Image source: Gateway Arch

Design and Competition

Architectural design competition launched

May 30, 1947

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association announced a national competition with a prize of $50,000 for the best design for the memorial's central feature.

Saarinen's design criticized as too modern

1948 - 1950

Saarinen's futuristic design faced criticism from traditionalists in St. Louis who questioned its aesthetics and cost, delaying approval of federal funding for several years.

Eero Saarinen's design wins competition

Feb 18, 1948

Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen's 630-foot stainless steel inverted catenary arch was selected from 172 entries, beating out designs by prominent architects including Charles Collens.

Saarinen revises arch design for structural stability

1950

Engineers Hannskarl Bandel and Severud Associates revised Saarinen's design, adjusting the curve so that the legs would be true catenary curves able to withstand wind loads and structural stress.

Eero Saarinen dies before construction begins

Sep 1, 1961

Eero Saarinen died at age 51, one month before construction of his iconic arch began; he never saw his most famous work completed.

Image source: Eero Saarinen

Construction

Groundbreaking ceremony held

Jun 23, 1959

Mayor Raymond Tucker broke ground on the memorial grounds, marking the formal start of site preparation for the arch itself.

Construction contract awarded to MacDonald Construction Company

1960

MacDonald Construction Company of St. Louis won the bid to build the arch, with construction overseen by the National Park Service and engineering firm Severud Associates.

Foundation work completed

1961 - 1962

Caissons were sunk deep into bedrock to support each leg of the arch, with foundations extending about 60 feet below ground to ensure stability.

Tram system design developed by Dick Bowser

1962 - 1964

Engineer Richard Bowser devised the unique capsule tram system that carries visitors up the curved interior of each leg, solving the challenge of vertical transport in an arch.

Visitor center and museum construction begins

Jun 2, 1962

Construction started on the underground visitor center beneath the arch, designed to house exhibits and serve as the base for tram access.

Creve Coeur incident delays construction

1963 - 1964

A lawsuit filed by contractor Creve Coeur over alleged bid irregularities halted work on the arch for more than a year while legal disputes were resolved.

First stainless steel section set in place

Feb 12, 1963

The first triangular stainless steel section of the arch was lifted into place, officially beginning the assembly of the monument's two legs.

Final steel section hoisted into place

Oct 28, 1965

The final 10-ton section connecting the two legs was lifted into place by crane, completing the arch structure at 630 feet tall — the tallest monument in the United States.

Completion and Legacy

Arch remains tallest man-made monument in the US

Oct 28, 1965

Standing 630 feet (192 meters) tall and equally wide, the Gateway Arch remains America's tallest man-made monument, visited by millions annually and an enduring symbol of westward expansion.

Gateway Arch opens to the public

Jul 24, 1967

The arch opened to visitors, with trams beginning operation and quickly drawing millions of tourists annually to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Arch dedicated by Vice President Humphrey

May 25, 1968

Vice President Hubert Humphrey led dedication ceremonies for the completed Gateway Arch, which had cost roughly $13 million to build.

Museum of Westward Expansion opens

Aug 10, 1976

The Museum of Westward Expansion opened beneath the arch, featuring exhibits on Lewis and Clark, Native Americans, and the pioneers who moved west.

Arch designated National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

1988

The American Society of Civil Engineers recognized the Gateway Arch as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark for its innovative design and construction.

St. Louis Cardinals World Series celebration at the Arch

Oct 2006

Following their World Series victory, the St. Louis Cardinals held celebratory events near the arch, cementing its status as the symbol of the city.

Image source: 2006 World Series

CityArchRiver renovation project launched

2010 - 2018

A $380 million public-private initiative began transforming the arch grounds, adding landscaped parkland over Interstate 44, a new museum entrance, and improved accessibility.

Lightning strike damage repaired on north leg

2014 - 2015

Engineers repaired damage caused by repeated lightning strikes to the arch's stainless steel skin, upgrading its lightning protection system.

Arch celebrates 50th anniversary

Oct 28, 2015

Fifty years after the final section was set in place, St. Louis celebrated the golden anniversary of the arch's completion with ceremonies and community events.

Tram cars fully replaced during renovation

2017 - 2018

The original 1960s tram capsules were completely rebuilt and replaced with modernized cars, improving safety and comfort while retaining the historic design.

Kiener Plaza and riverfront connections completed

2017 - 2019

Renovations linked Kiener Plaza, the Old Courthouse, and the Mississippi Riverfront with the arch grounds, creating a unified downtown park experience.

Image source: Kiener Plaza

Redesignated as Gateway Arch National Park

Feb 22, 2018

Legislation signed by President Trump reclassified the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as Gateway Arch National Park, the first new national park since 2004.

New museum entrance opens on west side

Jul 3, 2018

The renovated Gateway Arch Museum reopened with expanded exhibits after a multiyear redesign, featuring new galleries on colonial St. Louis and building the monument.

Key Facts

The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, whose design won a national competition in 1947.
The Arch is 630 feet (192 meters) tall and 630 feet wide, making it the tallest monument in the Western Hemisphere.
Construction began on February 12, 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965, at a cost of about $13 million.
The Arch's curved shape follows an inverted catenary curve, a mathematically precise form considered the ideal shape for an arch.
The Gateway Arch became part of Gateway Arch National Park in February 2018, when it was redesignated from the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Source

This Gateway Arch timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free