Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Courtesy NPS

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, near the start of the Oregon Trail. The construction of the Arch began in June 27, 1962 and it was completed on October 28, 1965 costing less than $15 million to build. US Vice-President Hubert Humphrey[?] and US Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall[?] dedicated the Arch on May 25, 1966.

The memorial site is marked by engineered structure, "The Gateway Arch", considered a marvel in its decade of construction. This extravagant engineering feat is 630 feet tall, has a triangular cross section, is made of stainless steel, and has an interior elevator to take tourists to the viewing room at its peak. This provides a ready view of the City of St. Louis and its rivers. The elevator cars and pulley system are uniquely designed to climb up through the parabolic curve of the Arch's legs.

Near the north foot of the arch is the entrance to an underground museum dedicated to the exploration and westward expansion of the United States.