Course Blog – Intro to Digital Humanities and Social Sciences (SP26)

How Did they Make that?

April 29, 2026 / ymohame

The Mapping LGBTQ St. Louis project was made by a team of historians and students at Washington University in St. Louis. The main goal of this project is to show where LGBTQ people lived, worked, and socialized between 1945 and 1992. By putting these locations on a map, the researchers want to prove that queer history is a part of the city’s regular history and not something separate. The project is meant for students, local residents, and anyone interested in how St. Louis grew over time.

The researchers used a technology called ArcGIS to create an interactive map with over 800 locations. They found these places by looking through old newspapers, police records of bar raids, and underground travel guides from the past. The project concludes that the location of LGBTQ spaces was not random. Instead, these spaces were shaped by the border between Missouri and Illinois. Because Missouri had strict laws, the Illinois East Side became a very important place for nightlife and drag shows.

One major strength of the project is that it shows how race and segregation affected the community. It clearly explains that Black and white LGBTQ people often had to stay in separate neighborhoods because of the city’s racial divides. A weakness is that the project mostly shows public businesses like bars, so it misses out on private house parties or people who kept their lives hidden. This project shows that the Metro-East was a place of freedom for people who could not be themselves in Missouri. It adds a lot of context to how the St. Louis region was divided by laws and race, making the local history feel much more complete.

Alex Roman-Final Project-The Gateway Arch

April 28, 2026 / alroman

Everyday on my way to school I see the same thing. The Gateway arch. The Gateway arch is the staple of Saint Louis bringing Locals and tourist from all around the world just to see it.

Even though the arch has been there my whole life I never stopped and asked the question of what is the meaning of the arch and has the gateway arch changed from its original purpose to its modern role as a tourism symbol?

The problem is that the Arch does not get the recognition that it deserves, many tourist think of it as the Gateway to the west and don’t give it a second look ( I was the same way). There is not enough awareness when it comes to the history of STL and the meaning behind structures of the past. My goal is to explore into the history of the Arch and find the meaning behind it, this is to bring awareness and deem it not just a tourist attraction but a staple in history. For my project I will build a timeline of its creation and the development of the surrounding areas. I will also examine the meaning and purpose behind the structure and what time was like during the creation of the arch, to show that its not just a tourist attraction but a meaningful structure that is a polite nod to history.

To understand the creation of the Saint Louis Arch we must go over its past and original purpose. Before the Gateway Arch was built the 1930’s, STL was deemed to be the center of trade and manufacturing, the city was filled with factories warehouses and old brick buildings, it was known as the economic center of the west due to the trade along the Mississippi river and many railroads which are still in use today.

The Mississippi river played a huge role when it came to expansion in the Untied states, due to it being a crossroad for expansion into the west. In 1803 Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana territory from France which doubled the size of the US and opened up more land into the west, this is known as the Westward expansion. “Jefferson sent James Monroe to join Robert Livingston in France to try to purchase New Orleans and West Florida for as much as $10 million” (The Historian).

Jeffersons purchase was one of the most important decision in U.S history. This is because the U.S went from a small county with only east coast territory to a large country, this also opened up the Mississippi river which was critical for trade. With these new opportunity’s for farmers and business to ship out goods. Now that the US fully controlled the west and especially the port of new Orleans. it also boosted U.S power because after the purchase France moved out of the United States and could no longer control the land.

STL was a staple for trade at the time and moving into the 1930’s civic leaders wanted to honor the Westward expansion and the President who initiated it. It was decided by President Franklin D Roosevelt to build a structure as a tribute to the late president, A nationwide competition was held in 1947-48 to determine what could be built on the 40-block footprint to honor Thomas Jefferson, and his Louisiana Purchase. Architects all over the world submitted there designs. The winner was Eero Saarinen, a finish architect. His idea was simple a stainless steel arch, the design ended up winning due to its boldness. In 1961 construction of the arch took place.

The history of the arch and its original purpose lost its meaning now in days people see it only as a arch and not an image of the history and sacrifice that the late president made when it came to expanding territory and making the United States and independent country and eventually the backbone of the world. Using a timeline my goal is to bring awareness to the past and showcase the history and creation of the arch to bring attention to the meaning of the structure so tourist don’t see it as just an attraction but a crucial part of history that changed America for the better. I believe that overtime people have forgotten the reason why the arch was built and my goal is to bring awareness.

(Bellow is the image timeline, it will not let me embed it)

https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=v2%3A2PACX-1vS1It0VjhDrdaNCCKJvB7l9wZtcByZbheBDsatosQE7LZCO7wiK4O2-N2VZl2N84p-gYKxPb4e34jKy&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&width=100%25&height=650

(This is my Excel document used to make the timeline)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pbc6y-EgZkqMEXH0CSjXqKfKoGJWT5Xs3zQfXHzX1Do/edit?gid=0#gid=0

————————————————————————————————

“1933 – Civic leaders in St. Louis propose a memorial to honor westward expansion and Thomas Jefferson.
1935 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial through federal legislation.
1947–1948 – A nationwide design competition is held; architect Eero Saarinen’s design for a stainless steel arch is selected as the winner.
1954 – Final design plans are completed after years of development and refinement.
1961 – Construction of the Gateway Arch begins.
1963–1965 – The two legs of the Arch are built upward simultaneously.
October 28, 1965 – The Arch is completed when the final keystone piece is placed at the top.
1967 – The Arch opens to the public, including the tram system to the top.
2018 – The site is renamed Gateway Arch National Park and major renovations are completed.” (The gateway arch)

Changing the name in 2018 removes the original purpose of the Arch and the history behind it, in 2018 its meaning changed from Thomas Jefferson Memorial to The Gateway Arch declaring it a tourist attraction

“the primary reason for the name change was that the memorial is effectively known as “Gateway Arch” to most visitors. The name Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, quite a mouthful, never stuck with the locals, nor did it connect with St Louis. It could be that “Jefferson” became less than important than when the memorial was established, because in 1943, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built in the Capitol Mall in Washington, DC. Rather than memorializing Jefferson, the Arch celebrated his main contribution to the westward expansion, the Louisiana Purchase.” (Sacco, Nick )

Knowing that the name change taints the history of the arch it is our goal to spread the history of the structure with the help of local radio stations, museum representation, sharing the timeline map to locals and travel agency’s, and contacting the city asking for a Thomas Jefferson memorial day to bring recognition to the arch is the best way to keep or city’s history alive.

In conclusion, tourism is taking over the history of the arch and many visitors don’t fully understand the deeper meaning behind it. It’s easy to see it every day or visit it once and not really think about what it represents. A lot of people are aware that it’s “the Gateway Arch,” but few know it represents westward expansion, Thomas Jefferson’s role in the Louisiana Purchase, or St. Louis as a starting point for exploration. So yes, many people are somewhat aware of it, but a large number are still mostly oblivious to its full history. In short, tourism is what most people see first, but the history is still there underneath it. The challenge isn’t that the Arch has lost its meaning it’s that many visitors never take the time to learn it.

Work cited

Dana, J. (2024, June 27). St. Louis Riverfront Clearances. St. Louis Riverfront Clearances – by Jackie Dana. https://unseenstlouis.substack.com/p/st-louis-riverfront-clearances

Gateway arch history. The Gateway Arch. (2026, March 28). https://www.gatewayarch.com/about/arch-history/

National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). A gateway to the West. National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/gateway-arch.html

Sacco, N. (2018, March 1). Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Becomes Gateway Arch National Park. Exploring the Past. https://pastexplore.wordpress.com/2018/03/01/jefferson-national-expansion-memorial-becomes-gateway-arch-national-park/

The terra galleria blog – Qt Luong. Terra Galleria Photography. (n.d.). https://www.terragalleria.com/blog/gateway-arch-national-park-thoughts-on-a-name

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Materials and techniques. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/materials-and-techniques.htm

Project Proposal – St. Louis Music Scene Evolution

April 27, 2026 / gokai

The St. Louis music scene has played a major role in shaping American music history, particularly through its contributions to blues, jazz, and rock and roll. Historic areas like the Delmar Loop and venues such as Blueberry Hill have served as cultural centers where artists and audiences connect. Musicians like Chuck Berry helped establish St. Louis as a foundational city in the development of modern popular music. Today, the scene continues to grow through independent artists, live venues, and digital platforms, reflecting both tradition and innovation.

What draws me to this topic is my personal passion for music and performance. As someone involved in music, I am interested in understanding how local music communities evolve and adapt over time. While St. Louis is widely recognized for its historical influence, there is less focus on how the music scene has transformed in the modern era. This leads to my research question: How has the St. Louis music scene evolved from its historical roots into its current form, and what social, cultural, and technological factors have influenced that evolution?

To address this question, I will analyze key periods in the development of St. Louis music, including early blues and jazz movements, the rise of rock and roll, and the current independent music scene. I will focus on how physical spaces like venues and neighborhoods shaped the scene in the past, and how digital tools such as streaming services and social media now influence music distribution and audience engagement. My approach emphasizes both continuity and change, exploring how historical traditions continue to shape modern artists while new technologies redefine the music industry.

A primary source for this project will include archival recordings and historical materials from the Missouri Historical Society, which provide direct evidence of early music culture in the region. A secondary source will be scholarly analysis such as “St. Louis Blues: Musicians and the Evolution of a Genre”, which examines the city’s role in shaping blues music and its broader cultural impact.

To present my findings, I will use a digital storytelling tool such as an interactive timeline or story map . This format will allow users to explore the evolution of the St. Louis music scene across different locations and time periods, integrating maps, images, and audio clips to create an engaging and immersive experience.

Alex Roman – Project Draft

April 22, 2026 / alroman

Intro

Everyday on my way to school I see the same thing over and over again. The Gateway arch. The Gateway arch is the staple of Saint Louis bringing Locals and tourist from all around the world just to see it.

Even though the arch has been there my whole life I never asked the question of what is the meaning of the arch and has the gateway arch changed from its original purpose to its modern role as a tourism symbol?

The problem is that the Arch does not get the recognition that it deserves I believe that Most tourist think of it as the Gateway and don’t give it a second look ( I was the same way). The problem is that there is not enough awareness when it comes to the history of STL and the meaning behind structures of the past. My goal is to dig into the history of the Arch and find the meaning behind it, this is to bring awareness and deem it not just a tourist attraction but a staple in history. For my project I will build a timeline of its creation and the surrounding areas. breaking down the meaning and purpose and what time was like during the creation of the arch, to show that its not just a tourist attraction but a meaningful structure that is a polite nod to history.

Gateway arch history – https://www.gatewayarch.com/about/arch-history/

1933 – Civic leaders in St. Louis propose a memorial to honor westward expansion and Thomas Jefferson.
1935 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial through federal legislation.
1947–1948 – A nationwide design competition is held; architect Eero Saarinen’s design for a stainless steel arch is selected as the winner.
1954 – Final design plans are completed after years of development and refinement.
1961 – Construction of the Gateway Arch begins.
1963–1965 – The two legs of the Arch are built upward simultaneously.
October 28, 1965 – The Arch is completed when the final keystone piece is placed at the top.
1967 – The Arch opens to the public, including the tram system to the top.
2018 – The site is renamed Gateway Arch National Park and major renovations are completed.

First point- what was there before the arch, why was it named Thomas Jefferson memorial and why did he choose STL

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Becomes Gateway Arch National Park

Then – history of A nationwide competition was held in 1947-48 to determine what could be built on that 40-block footprint to honor Thomas Jefferson, his Louisiana Purchase

Second point construction- what was STL looking like in 1961, what changed

Why did it take 30 years to start construction– https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/materials-and-techniques.htm

1961 – Construction of the Gateway Arch begins.
1963–1965 – The two legs of the Arch are built upward simultaneously.
October 28, 1965 – The Arch is completed when the final keystone piece is placed at the top.

Third point – Opening and Tourism– significance of the Arch

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/gateway-arch.html

https://www.terragalleria.com/blog/gateway-arch-national-park-thoughts-on-a-name

4th point- Timeline showing the overall history and representation of the arch

listed below are templates used for my project – History of the Gate Way arch

https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=v2%3A2PACX-1vTvgcpdJxoAsoMHgr7iY-lcixCeV6SUee4vj7OJyMiht70E9xLlOIZ_WPKOV9FH5TviAoPdpBt0Pg1r&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&width=100%25&height=650

5th- Spreading the message and Remembering the purpose of the arch

local radio stations, museum representation, sharing the timeline map to locals and travel agency’s. contacting the city asking for a Thomas Jefferson memorial day bring recognition to the arch

6th Point conclusion – Answer the question has tourism takin over the history of the arch and do people know the history or are they oblivious like i was. How can we make a change and what does the arch signify.

Alex Roman- How did they make that?

April 22, 2026 / alroman

For my “How did they make that?” assignment I choose to look over “St. Louis History in Black and White: From Dred Scott to Ferguson” History is important to culture and region in recognizing where we come from and how we got to this point. This article stood out to me because this comes from STL. Public Radio and a collaboration with the University of Missouri. The goal of the project is to bring recognition to better understand racial inequality in the ST. Louis Region. The presentations wants to show how race affected peoples lives when it came to their Health ,education, and income. Using a slideshow/map the article neatly demonstrates different periods of time in the STL Region and how it affected the community. Spreading the word and sharing history especially in the black community is important for the STL Radio and they would like that all ages and types of people that have an interest in the subject to know where they can find the information. The project came to the conclusion that black and white people lived completely different lives in the early years of STL from the year 1865 to the 1970’s. it shows that Black people were more likely to experience poverty, no education, or job opportunity’s. Thought the project it shows a clear demonstration of the suffering of black people and how it is tied to history and different ideology’s that were pertained during those times. Using data Visualization maps and charts with a combination of storytelling it gives a look into the lives of black and white people for different points in history. The STL Radio showed off history acceptably well in there project, but the lack of video, and somewhat short presentations leave something to be desired. This weakness makes the page feel bland and dated. With some upgrades and promotion I believe that STL Radio can succeed in their mission and bring recognition to the area and the history of black people. Furthermore, this project promotes the lifestyle and inequality’s of St. Louis of the past. It demonstrates that deep rooted issues are still prevalent today. With this project it helps deepen understanding and makes the information more accessible.

The Gateway Arch National Park

April 22, 2026 / poluseg

National parks in the United States are “large areas of iconic lands or waters with a variety of natural, cultural, scientific and historical resources” (Linda Coutant, 2023). Another author puts it this way, “National parks tend to be large swaths of land that protects a variety of resources, including natural and historic features” (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2026). These are large areas that preserves the country’s natural resource, and showcase the beauty of the land. A better way to put this is “national parks are America’s crown jewels, inspiring awe and wonder. When a tourist sees a national park, they should marvel at its beauty and be amazed. The purpose of a national park is to “protect the nation’s special places so current and future generations can experience our natural and cultural treasures for years to come” (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2026). Officially, there are sixty-three designated national parks in the United States. The two ways a site becomes a national park according to Linda Coutant (2023) is “through congressional action and presidential declaration using the Antiquities Act of 1906”.

The Gateway Arch is a national park in St. Louis Missouri. It was formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, intended to revitalize the riverfront and increase tourism in the city. The park extends from the Old Courthouse to the steps overlooking the Mississippi River. The design of the Monument was inspired by the architect Eero Saarinen between 1947 during a public design competition. The goal was to erect a monument to commemorate the western expansion and Thomas Jefferson’s role in sponsoring the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which departed from the St. Louis area in the 1800s. The construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed in October 28, 1965 (National Park Foundation). In July 2018, the park was changed from Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to Gateway Arch National Park (https://www.gatewayarch.com/about/arch-history/). The park was redesignated by Congress, making it the 60^th and smallest national park at 91 acres.

One of the things that makes the Gateway Arch national park unique is its arch. The Gateway Arch is 630 feet tall, making it the tallest human-made accessible structure in Missouri. It is also the tallest Arch in the entire Western Hemisphere. The Arch’s support goes 60 feet underground, making it able to withstand earthquake and strong winds. Located west of the Arch is the old courthouse, which is the oldest standing building in St. Louis. The first two trials of the Dred Scott case were held in old courthouse in 1847 and 1850. The Gateway Arch also has an underground museum which houses the history of the city.

Though, with the knowledge we have about national parks and the requirement needed to name a site national park, we would see that the Gateway Arch does not fit into that category. The Department of the interior had this to say to congress, “to better align with the standard nomenclature for units of the National Park System, we recommend that Congress redesignate the unit as Gateway Arch National Monument”. This is because national parks are a lot vaster, with a variety of resources and covers large land or water areas to provide enough protection of the resources. Of the 60 national parks, the Gateway Arch is the smallest, with no natural resources, or scientific significance to it. Although, one might argue that it houses the cultural and historical values of the city, like the old courthouse where the first two trials of the Dred Scott case took place. It was also the place where Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote came to trial in the 1870s (https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/och.htm). There is no substantial article that really states the congress’ reason for the change of the site’s name. But in the Gateway Arch Park Foundation site, we are made to understand part of the reason for the change is to encourage tourist and provide more accurate marketing communication. After the change of name in 2018, there have been a rise in tourist visitation to the area. According to Jeremy Sweat, Superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park, “we are pleased to see such strong visitation in 2023”. This shows that changing the name helped in attracting tourist to the city, which in turn will improve the city’s revenue.

In conclusion, a National Park in the United States is a vast area that encompasses large land or water areas with a variety of natural, cultural, scientific and historical resources. The Gateway Arch National Monument was changed to Gateway Arch National Park in 2018 by congress. Although, it may not fit the criteria of a national park, it houses the cultural and historical values of the land. It is also a tourist site that has attracted more tourist since the name change, which has helped the city’s revenue.

Technology used is Scrolly Storytelling tool: https://preciousolu01.github.io/gateway-arch-project/

References

Gateway Arch National Park Purpose and Significance. https://www.nps.gov/jeff/learn/news/gateway-arch-national-park-purpose-and-significance.htm
Renninger, Von P. 2024. The Curious Case of Gateway Arch – or: National + Park=National Park? https://www.umweltimrecht.blog/gateway-arch/
Kennicott Philip. 2018. “50 years later, St. Louis’s Gateway Arch emerges with a new name and a skeptical view of western expansion”. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/50-years-later-st-louis-gateway-arch-emerges-with-a-new-name-and-a-skeptical-view-of-western-expansion/2018/06/25/7cbee8d6-644d-11e8-99d2-0d678ec08c2f_story.html
U.S. Department of the Interior. “America’s Public Lands Explained. March 2026. https://www.doi.gov/blog/americas-public-lands-explained
Coutant Linda. National Parks Conservation Association. ‘How National Parks and Monuments Are Designated”. July 2023. https://www.npca.org/articles/3359-how-national-parks-and-monuments-are-designated
National Park Foundation. “Gateway Arch National Park”. https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/gateway-arch-national-park
Missouri State Symbol https://www.sos.mo.gov/symbol/monument#:~:text=The%20Gateway%20Arch%20is%20perhaps,Gov.
“Gateway Arch”. https://www.npca.org/parks/gateway-arch-national-park?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=687842311&gbraid=0AAAAAD4GDtnDPkzYImXFY_6_4G02IeCM2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPLOBhCiARIsAKRMPZpbgUvYmk-ncoJ4a4hUvz2skyjn3mHEy3qVR227ocFHIPD7GDXhEOUaAmfhEALw_wcB
Explore The Gateway Arch’s History. https://www.gatewayarch.com/about/arch-history/
Old Courthouse. https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/och.htm
Gateway Arch National Park sees 2.4 million Visitors in 2023. https://www.nps.gov/jeff/learn/news/gateway-arch-national-park-sees-2-4-million-visitors-in-2023.htm
Gateway Arch National Park Designated New Name for Park. https://www.archpark.org/updates/news/gateway-arch-national-park-designated-new-name-for-park

Problem Statement-Matthew.E

April 22, 2026 / matthev

The TypeOsphere and the Preservation of Print Culture in St. Louis

Observation / Background / Context
The TypeOsphere is a public letterpress studio dedicated to preserving traditional printing methods while engaging modern audiences. What initially drew my attention to the TypeOsphere is how it blends historical craftsmanship with contemporary creativity. In a world dominated by digital media, spaces like this feel almost out of place—yet they continue to attract community interest. This raises important questions about why analog practices still matter and how they shape local identity in St. Louis.

Problem / Research Question
How does the TypeOsphere contribute to preserving and reinterpreting print culture in St. Louis, and what role does it play in connecting contemporary audiences to the city’s historical identity?

Frame (Approach / Point of View)
I will approach this project through a cultural and digital humanities lens, focusing on material culture and community engagement. Rather than treating the TypeOsphere solely as a historical site, I will analyze it as an active cultural space where history is experienced through hands-on interaction. My perspective emphasizes how physical engagement with print technology can deepen understanding of local heritage and create meaningful connections between past and present.

Example Sources
Primary Source:
“Typewriter Poetry Workshop.” Eventbrite, hosted by LA Marler, St. Louis, MO.

Secondary Source:
Eisenstein, Elizabeth L. The Printing Press as an Agent of Change. Cambridge University Press, 1979.

Proposed Technology
I will use StoryMapJS, a free and beginner-friendly digital storytelling platform developed by Northwestern University’s Knight Lab. StoryMapJS allows users to create interactive, map-based narratives by combining text, images, and geographic points without requiring advanced technical skills or paid subscriptions.

This tool is particularly useful for student projects because it only requires a Google account and supports embedding multimedia content alongside mapped locations. I plan to use it to map the TypeOsphere within St. Louis while incorporating historical context, images of letterpress work, and possibly other relevant sites tied to printing history in the region. This approach will allow me to visually demonstrate how one local space connects to broader cultural and historical patterns while keeping the project accessible and easy to build.

Data Review

April 22, 2026 / matthev

The Illinois Landcover in the Early 1800s dataset was developed by the Illinois State Geological Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois. Most contributors are scientists and researchers with backgrounds in geology, ecology, or GIS.

The data comes from historical records, especially early surveyors’ notes from the Public Land Survey System. These notes recorded vegetation, soil, and land features as Illinois was mapped before major settlement. The dataset helps reconstruct past ecosystems and serves as a baseline for tracking environmental changes over time.

This dataset has been used in ecological research, land management planning, conservation efforts, and historical analysis. Researchers and policymakers rely on it to understand how Illinois landscapes have changed due to agriculture, urbanization, and other human activities. The dataset is typically provided in compatible formats such as shapefiles, making it suitable for spatial analysis and mapping.

In terms of structure, the dataset organizes land cover into categorized types such as prairie, forest, wetland, and water systems. Each geographic unit includes attributes describing vegetation type and sometimes soil or ecological characteristics. This structured, categorical approach makes it highly useful for large-scale spatial comparisons, but it may oversimplify complex ecosystems by forcing them into discrete categories. Subtle ecological variations might be lost as a result.

The creators do describe some of their data processing methods, particularly how they interpreted historical survey notes and translated them into modern classifications. However, this process inherently involves interpretation. Surveyors in the early 1800s were not ecologists, and their descriptions were often subjective or inconsistent. As a result, the dataset reflects both historical observation and modern reconstruction decisions, which may introduce uncertainty or bias.

The identities and goals of the creators—scientists focused on environmental research and conservation—likely shaped the dataset to highlight natural land cover patterns rather than human land use. This focus is useful but may unintentionally downplay Indigenous land management practices that existed before European settlement.

I would use this dataset to analyze long-term environmental change, particularly by comparing historical land cover with present-day satellite data. It could also support conservation planning by identifying areas that were once ecologically significant and may be candidates for restoration. Overall, while the dataset is incredibly valuable, it should be used with an understanding of its interpretive nature and historical limitations.

Alex Roman- Project Proposal

April 20, 2026 / alroman

Question: Has the gateway arch changed from its original purpose to its modern role as a tourism symbol?

The main argument is that the arch is not only a symbol of tourism and expansion but a symbol of historical events that have been minimized over time.

0bservation, background, context: Here you might talk about what drew your attention to this topic, what struck you as interesting about it, and/or any important context for the topic.

I have lived in the STL area my whole life and never asked the question of what is the purpose of the arch and its significance to the city of STL. What drew my attention to the topic was while looking around the stl area, I found an article that said the arch was originally made for Thomas Jefferson and his vison of STL after the purchase of Louisiana and was made to be a memorial center to honor his expansion of the south. This is something I never knew and it was interesting because i just thought of it as a monument and nothing more. so the history interested me.

Problem: What problem or question arises from your observation?

The problem is that the Arch does not get the recognition that it deserves I believe that Most tourist think of it as the Gateway and don’t give it a second look. The problem is that there is not enough awareness when it comes to the history of STL and the meaning behind structures of the past. The question is how can we bring awareness and let the public know the significance and the history of STL’s greatest stopping point.

Frame: How are you approaching that problem? What’s your point of view?

My Goal is to bring awareness to the history of the arch and the overall topic and find a way to expand the reach of its significance and return it to the old name of Jefferson national expansion memorial. Also to honor the idea of innovation because the arch was built in 1965 which is a historical moment to create an arch this big and still have it standing tall all these years later.

Example sources: Provide citations for one primary source (something that is direct evidence for the question you’re asking) and one secondary source (something that uses direct evidence to make an argument) that relate to your research question.

https://www.nps.gov/jeff/learn/news/gateway-arch-national-park-purpose-and-significance.htm

“A nationwide competition was held in 1947-48 to determine what could be built on that 40-block footprint to honor Thomas Jefferson, his Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, pioneers, Tribes of the great plains, and everyone else involved in the story of westward expansion. Architect Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel arch was chosen. Groundbreaking for the Gateway Arch occurred in June 1959, and the structure was completed in October 1965. ” This is the history that is forgotten about and can be used to bring awareness to the meaning of the arch.

https://www.nps.gov/jeff/learn/historyculture/native-peoples-continued.htm

“Shawnee & Delaware Kickapoo Sac & Fox Osage Kansa Oto”

the second goal would be to refrain the native and speak on the forgotten history of the land and practice in Stl. One way would be to speak on the native groups that were there before us.

Proposed technology: What tool or method do you intend to use in your project? This could be an interactive time line going over the history such as the indigenous land- Louisiana purchase- city planning and arch construction.

The main argument is that the arch is not only a symbol of tourism and expansion but a symbol of historical events that have been minimized over time.

Alex Roman – Lab 11: Mapping and spatial analysis with Leaflet

April 20, 2026 / alroman

1.What are the implications of your analysis? Is this an example of good access to resources, or are there challenges here? Is this an issue of spatial injustice?

So for this project I pined Edwardsville Township Community Park, 6368 Center Grove Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025, I did this because if you want to do homework at the park this is route you would have to take.

Car – 7 minutes

Bus – 34 minutes

Walking-58 minutes

Biking-15 minutes

This is just a event of spatial injustice due the the school being isolated from the main popular area in Edwardsville. walking and bus would be inconvenient but still do able, I Believe there is a good source of access due to it being a popular area

2.Reflect a little on your spatial analysis lab. What observations did you make? Have the things you noticed impacted how you experience SIUE and/or Edwardsville? How do you think they might impact others’ experiences, whether they’re students, faculty/staff, or community members? What do you think has caused the patterns you identified? If there’s an element of spatial injustice in what you observed, how might it be addressed?

Some patterns I identified was the bus access to different points around campus and the surrounding Edwardsville area. I believe this is because the location is well known and many people need options to commute to school. If you lived outside of Edwardsville and had no mode of transportation it would prove difficult to go to school everyday especially if you were to walk. Having a car or bike is really the only way to make it to class especially on time. I think there is an element of Spatial injustice, when it comes to walking or taking the bus for students who live outside of Edwardsville, but besides that it seems pretty easy to get to school, the only complaint i would bring to the table is that the school is far away from the parking lots and kind of in the middle of no where. if there was less space between the school and the city it would be easier for people to commute.