Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park covers about 91 acres along the Mississippi River and includes a tall stainless steel arch and the historic Old Courthouse. The arch rises in a smooth curve above the riverfront, forming the central element of the site.

The park was established in 1935 as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to honor the westward growth of the United States. The arch itself was completed in the 1960s and has since become a landmark of the city.

The Old Courthouse in the park once hosted the trials of Dred Scott, whose legal battle challenged the boundaries of slavery in America. Visitors today can walk through the restored courtrooms and see exhibits that explain how these proceedings shaped debates about freedom and citizenship.

A tram system takes visitors in about four minutes to the observation deck at the top of the arch, where you can look out over the city and the river. The pods are small and hold only a few people at a time, so arriving early in the day helps avoid longer waits.

The arch is the tallest human-made monument in the United States and was designed using an equilateral triangle principle, where the base and height are identical. This design gives it its characteristic shape and makes it look different from many angles.

Location: St. Louis

Inception: December 21, 1935

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/jeff

GPS coordinates: 38.62460,-90.18500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:50