"Gateway Arch - Ride to the Top" Saint Louis Travelogue by Paulie_D

During a nationwide competition in 1947-48, Finnish architect Eero Saarinen's inspired design for a stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers.

Unfortunately, Sarinen died in April 1961 nearly two years before construction commenced in February 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million.

The Arch is both 630 ft wide and 630 ft tall which makes it the tallest national monument in the United States. (The Washington Monument is only 555 ft and the Statue of Liberty a mere 305 ft).

After receiving our tickets we headed to the South Tram load zone which is meant to represent a morning in 1855 where they can witness a day on the St. Louis riverfront - an area of steamboats and commerce. You take in the sight and sounds and hear stories of pioneer families as they prepare for their journey West.

At this point, you receive a borading card which indicates which capsule/carriage you will be in for your ride to the top.

As you can see from the next picture, I was in No. 4.

The eight small capsules, used in each of the two Arch trains, are similar to the barrels used in cement mixers.

Each capsule has a 5 foot diameter barrel that is open on the front and closed on the back. The back has a center pivot shaft, and surrounding the open front there is a frame with rollers, so the barrel can rotate within the frame that is supported by wheels running in the channel-shaped tracks.

There are 5 seats in each barrel, so the weight of the passengers helps keep the capsule in an upright position.

Each of the Arch trains carries 40 passengers and is capable of making a round trip with passengers in 9 minutes including loading and unloading passengers in both directions.

When running near capacity each train typically carries 200 to 225 passengers per hour.

The Viewing Area can hold up to 160 people and has 16 windows on each side.

The windows are only 7" by 27" as anything larger could not hold up under the pressure of the two arms of the Arch pushing together.

Views towards Illinois are, to be honest, looking mostly out over industrial areas.

However, looking out the other side you get some pretty good views of downtown St Louis.

Here you can see, from right to left, the Old Courthouse, Busch Stadium and, on the far left, the tubular building is my hotel.

Also part of the Memorial is the Old Courthouse.

An example of 19th Century public architecture, the building has provided the city with justice, government services and a place for public meetings for over 150 years.

Pricipally remembered for being the site of the hearing of the Dred Scot case, a controversial decision regarding slavery that fueled conflict which led to the American Civil War.

Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to visit the Courthouse although I understand that it contains a number of museums and exhibits.

Hey, TJ!

After descending from the top, take the time to visit the Museum of Westward Expansion

Here you can explore the world of the American Indians and the19th century pioneers who helped shape the history of the American West.

It's provided as part of your admission

Westward Ho!

The overland wagon came in many varieties, ranging from the reinforced farm wagon to the specifically designed Murphywagon.

The typical covered wagon used in the 1840s, 1850s, and1860s was nicknamed a "prairie schooner". Anyone traveling west on a trail was outfitted with heavy supplies that slowed the speed of the trip.

The general rule was to carry no more than 2,500 pounds of supplies. The basic staples were flour, bacon, coffee, sugar, and salt.

The wagon also carried cooking and bedding equipment as well as tools, farm equipment, and personal possessions.

All of these varied supplies left little or no space for riders who usually walked the distance. Quite often the trails were littered with debris of abandoned supplies thrown out to lighten loads and make better time.

Trail travel to Oregon or California generally took four to six months and the average distance covered was 10-15 miles per day. Pioneers traveled in groups and often cut a swath of up to twenty-five wagons across the trail. In inclement weather travelers slept under-neat the wagon. Oxen more often than mules pulled the wagons, since they could graze on the indigenous grasses.

When overlanders made camp in the evening they formed a circle with the wagons to corral their animals