• Looking up at the Gateway Arch

    Jefferson

    National Expansion Memorial Missouri

Arch Architecture

View of the rising Arch facing east, 1963
The architecture of the Arch is one of its most interesting aspects. Learn more about the materials and techniques used in the construction of the Arch in a detailed account by J.E.N. Jensen, Associate Director of the National Park Service. Equally fascinating is the story of the Arch's architect, Eero Saarinen as well as the mathematical equation used to create the catenary curve shape of the Arch.
 
 
Time lapse slide show of the construction of the Arch.
The image on this page is an animated image of the construction of the Gateway Arch between February 29, 1964 - October 28, 1965. There are nine images in this animation that show the Arch at different points during its construction.

Did You Know?

Cast iron fence outside the Old Courthouse, part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

During the 19th Century St. Louis was the premier ironwork city. After the great fire, many of its buildings were made using iron framework topped off by beautiful iron ornamentation. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial showcases St. Louis architecture in the Old Courthouse. More...