Gateway to the West - a photo on Flickriver

Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, Missouri

Built near the original starting point of the famous Louis and Clark Expedition on the Mississippi River, Gateway Arch is truly an engineering marvel. The arch was built between 1963 and 1965 and stands 630 feet (192 m) tall and 630 feet (192 m) wide at its base. The legs are only 54 feet (16.5 m) wide at the bottom, narrowing to only 17 feet (5.2 m) at the top.

Designing this thin structure to withstand powerful storms required an incredible level of engineering. The tram system for carrying passengers to the top is fascinating (if a bit claustrophobic) and well worth the time. Plan well ahead or you'll struggle to get tickets, especially during peak season. The museum underneath the structure is first rate, covering every aspect of Westward Expansion, from the technology used to the controversy of how it unfolded in history.

All that being said, the NPS created another controversy in 2018 when it elevated the arch from monument to full National Park status...what were they thinking?

A national park is supposed to "contain a variety of resources, encompassing large areas of land or water which must be protected." Think Yellowstone, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains and Arches National Park.

Gateway Arch doesn't make that cut, not even close. It's the tiniest NP, dinky in comparison to all the others, and planted right in the middle of a major, crime-plagued city. A remarkable historic park and very much worth the visit - yes. But elevating the arch to full national park status? Not everyone agrees with that decision.

Selected for FLICKR Explore September 1, 2023
# 68

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Taken in: United States / Missouri / Lacledes Landing (show map)

Taken on: September 28, 2022

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Camera: Nikon Z 7, f/6.3, 1/125 sec, 20mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon Z 7
Lens:	NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	0.008 sec (1/125)
Focal Length:	20mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Capture One 15 Macintosh
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