Photo by: Jacob Lips
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the Gateway Arch National Park is 90.9 acres of land, which stands just near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The expedition, held from May 1804 to September 1806, was the first American expedition that crossed the west, hence, the moniker “Gateway to the West.”
This park may be small but it was visited by over two million people in 2018.
History
The Gateway Arch National Park was created to essentially commemorate the Louisiana Purchase—the literal purchase of the state of Louisiana, by the Americans from the French. France took control of the state from 1699 to 1762. But the territory was ceded to Spain in 1762, through the Treaty of Fontainebleau. But in 1803, control went back to France.
The U.S. paid France $15 million for a minor part of Louisiana. The majority of Louisiana was initially inhabited by Native Americans. The purchase of the territory was the white American’s way plan to take over the land, through a treaty with Native Americans or by conquest.
Since it was a remembrance, the arch and the surrounding property was declared a national memorial on Dec. 21, 1935. It was only recently, on Feb. 22, 2018, that the area officially became the Gateway Arch National Park.
Photo by: Jacob Lips
Things to do
Photograph with the arch and from the arch
The Gateway Arch, which is a steel catenary arch, is the icon of St. Louis. This is the tallest structure in the whole of Missouri, standing at 630 feet. The bases are also 630 feet apart. It was erected between 1963 and 1965, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in collaboration with structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel.
The top of the arch has an observation deck, where visitors can have a bird’s eye view of the city. Visitors are taken up via a unique tram system, the only one of its kind in the world. Visitors should commemorate their visit to the park with a photo of the Gateway Arch. They can also capture the view of St. Louis from up the arch.
Trace history at the museum
The museum is a great way to learn about the history of St. Louis, Missouri and part of America’s history, too. President Thomas Jefferson had a vision, and that was for North America to eventually belong to the Americans. That was why he set out American explorer Meriwether Lewis, to form a team and explore the west to map out the area, and form trade relations. Visitors will know more about Jefferson’s plans in Jefferson’s Vision Gallery at the museum.
The museum’s Riverfront Era also details the creation of the Port of St. Louis and the arrival of the first steamboat in the city, in 1817. Also at the museum, visitors will learn more about how the huge arch was built, and how the design was selected.
Visit St. Louis’ Old Courthouse
An important part of America’s history happened in St. Louis. It was the case involving Dred Scott, a slave, whose case was heard at the courthouse. When the case was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1857, the decision prompted the start of the Civil War.
So who is Dred Scott? He was a slave owned by Peter Blow. Sometime in 1830, Dred Scott was sold to Dr. John Emerson because of Blow’s financial problems. Dred Scott accompanied Dr. Emerson to Illinois and Wisconsin, which were “free” states. There, Dr. Emerson married Irene Sanford. Dred Scott married as well and started a family with wife Harriet, also a slave.
The Emersons, along with the Scotts, returned to the slave state of Missouri in 1840. The problem happened after Dr. Emerson’s death in 1843. Dred and Harriet sued Irene for their freedom, believing that they had been free after living in “free” territories, for close to a decade. The litigation took 11 years.
Dred Scott’s situation was not unique. There were others like him, and St. Louis has well-documented historical accounts of slavery at the St. Louis Court system. Anyone interested could learn more about African-American life in St. Louis.
The courthouse, in itself, is a historic structure. It was built in 1839. It was also the venue for the Virginia Minor case, which was the landmark case for women’s right to suffrage.
Riverboat cruise
Visitors can get a panoramic view of St. Louis’ amazing skyline through the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. Aside from sightseeing, the cruise also offers sumptuous meals for either brunch or dinner. The cruise is, of course, not limited to the park. It makes its way to downtown St. Louis.