{"id":5005,"date":"2026-04-22T20:44:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T20:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iris.siue.edu\/hum230sp26\/?p=5005"},"modified":"2026-04-22T20:47:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T20:47:06","slug":"alex-roman-project-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iris.siue.edu\/hum230sp26\/2026\/04\/22\/alex-roman-project-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Roman – Project Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Intro<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gateway arch history – https:\/\/www.gatewayarch.com\/about\/arch-history\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1933 \u2013 Civic leaders in St. Louis propose a memorial to honor westward expansion and Thomas Jefferson.
1935 \u2013 President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial through federal legislation.
1947\u20131948 \u2013 A nationwide design competition is held; architect Eero Saarinen\u2019s design for a stainless steel arch is selected as the winner.
1954 \u2013 Final design plans are completed after years of development and refinement.
1961 \u2013 Construction of the Gateway Arch begins.
1963\u20131965 \u2013 The two legs of the Arch are built upward simultaneously.
October 28, 1965 \u2013 The Arch is completed when the final keystone piece is placed at the top.
1967 \u2013 The Arch opens to the public, including the tram system to the top.
2018 \u2013 The site is renamed Gateway Arch National Park and major renovations are completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First point- what was there before the arch, why was it named Thomas Jefferson memorial and why did he choose STL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Becomes Gateway Arch National Park<\/a><\/blockquote>