Why did St.Louis build the Gateway arch? - IT'S HISTORY

Among the United States' iconic landmarks is one that not many would find too significant: a giant arch on the Mississippi River called the Gateway to the West. Many fail to realize that it's loaded with historical significance and carries a great deal of struggle in the story of its creation. Today we'll delve into the history of the St. Louis Gateway Arch.

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

Chapters
00:52 - The History of Westward expansion
01:43 - The Seven Years war
02:17 - America's fight for independence
02:50 - The History of the Louisiana purchase
04:20 - The History of the Organ trail
05:18 - What is American Manifest destiny?
06:47 - The History of St. Louis
10:26 - St. Louis World fair
12:44 - The History of the Gateway arch
14:50 - How was St. Louis's Gateway Arch built?
17:00 - How does the gateway arch elevator work?
18:13 - Stunts attempted at the Gateway arch

» CONTACT

» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Gregory Back
Editor - Rishi Mittal
Host - Ryan Socash

» SOURCES

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[garydilbeck]

I’ve been up there and I can tell you that it doesn’t take a propeller aircraft to sway it. It moves all by itself. When you’re in the observation area, you can most definitely feel it moving. It’s a trip man👍.

[timinator]

If you’re from St. Louis, you have to say “look, there’s the Arch!“ every time you go downtown or are in a part of the surrounding area that can see the Arch.

[Greengoblin]

It’s actually crazy that the Eads bridge is still in use to this day

[Running-with-skizers]

Finally a history channel that talks about history

[StLouis-yuiz]

As a St. Louisan, I appreciate you covering this topic and feel you did a great job (as usual). I hope everyone has the chance to visit StL and see this and all the other cool attractions here!

[CJColvin]

Very well said story about St.Louis Missouri. The separation of the city of St.Louis and St.Louis County is definitely the biggest downfall of the city of St.Louis.

[jamesoverholt]

Went to epcot as a child. In the Canadian section my dad spoke to one of the Canadians. Upon hearing we were from st louis. They responded, "oh, isn't that where you have that big door?"

[ThisHouse]

Great video on a great city! Thanks for making this! I love St. Louis history!!!

[cornholio]

Finally, someone mentioned that St. Louis City is not part of of St. Louis county.

[pyronical]

Mate, your ability to make "bite size" history pieces is pretty great. Enjoyed this video thoroughly, Netflix should hire you for "Netflix shorts". (greetings from New Zealand, glad you fixed your mic btw)

[herrgodfrey]

Riding in the elevator in the Arch is trippy. Also, they're absolutely tiny. I don't recommend if you're claustrophobic.

[donalddodson]

Ryan, nice summary of the context and building of the Arch. Visiting the Museum and the Arch several years ago was a great experience. Visitors on windy days should expect a slight motion at the top. Thank you for kindling good memories.

[CaughtCrazy]

My older brother was a supervisor for parks and Rec in St Louis at the arch in the early 80's, when I was 12 In 1982 one night in October he came by asking me to give him a hand with something and using his keys we went to the top and with Jack Buck And Mike Shannon calling it on KMOX Radio that's where we watched The St Louis Cardinals Win game 7 of The world Series in 1982, My brother is as Cool as They Come, I'll Never Forget It.

[edwardbeaty]

I was a kid when it was being built. And we would visit relatives a few times a year so I got to see it being built. A little higher every time. Went up it during the first year.

[fabrisseterbrugghe]

As a toddler, I saw the unfinished arch. Forty-ish years later, I was driving cross-country, and, on the other side of the Mississippi, noticed that the arch, when reflected, made a lovely oval. Then, I took an off ramp and nearly ran off the road as the arch and it’s reflection became a Möbius strip. From the little bit I know, Saarinen was likely to have anticipated and/or planned for the effect.

[Lauren-zqux]

I’m a St.Lousian, and while I’m glad topics like this are covered over our city, their are many that are kept secrets and repressed that I wish would get covered. Like the gas chemicals that were sprayed throughout north stl. during America’s war with the Russians. Our own government sprayed chemicals as a “test” in poverty stricken and predominantly black streets, to see how they would react to the chemicals. My mother today runs a home health care and takes care of many elderly patients who say they remember running behind those trucks. Their parents, who were mainly alive during those times passed from different cancers.

[ronaldwinker]

My neighbor was one of the crane operators. It was an exciting time watching the Arch being built. It was on the Feast of St Jude (Patron Saint of impossible causes) the final piece was put in place. Something to see. I think I paid a dollar and two bits my first time up!

[TheChainChasers]

I went to the top my only visit to st louis to watch cardinals play in 2014 playoffs. The arch is amazing, can't find many better words to describe it.

[theblacksheep]

I barely remember when the legs of the arch were completed and watching them work on the very top. An incredible piece of work.

[wadethomas]

Thank you for covering I'm from Missouri nice to hear the story behind The gateway