The Gateway Arch

[D2Cat]

Finished building 58 years ago. I can't imagine being up there operating that equipment. There is a net there for any individuals who might fall.

 

[85Hokie]

I have taught this monument for the last 30 years in my construction classes. Showing how they built this using slide rules and little or no computers.

How they shot the elevations at night using transits.

How the "crane tracks" where installed on the backs of each arch

How the south legs got hot and they had to cool with water to align the last piece!

Those nets were not for humans so much as for "bolts and nuts" falling.

They had to spread the legs a good amount to get the last piece in.

After talking about this with my wife over a 10 year period - she said "why don't we go there!!"
AND we did about 10 years ago - it was about 1000 mile drive - two days, stopped in Nashville and it was a wonderful trip.

ONE thing I was NOT prepared for ..... the ride up!!!! I did not do the study on this until we go ready to go up to the top. I was hoping I could walk up the stairs ---- o hell no, not possible.

SO there is a "elevator" ..... ya - sure!!!

Think of being in a 5' diameter dryer ----- if you are not claustrophobic - YOU WILL BE!!

About a 4 minute trip btw.

Here is a picture of it ( this is something I grabbed off the net)

The view is breath taking - you actually lean forward against the "wall" to look out the window.
Yeah - you are 630 feet up there too!

I would go back in a heartbeat for sure!

Thank you D2Cat for mentioning this!

 

[ken erickson]

I lived in the St Louis area for 18 years and was not till roughly year 10 I went to visit the Arch. Amazing piece of engineering. I really enjoyed the museum that was below grade between the legs. I understand that there was a fire in the museum but have not been back since.

I was a bit disappointed the elevator pods did not accommodate wheelchair use along with I believe a small amount of steps at the top after exiting the pods?

 

[Lil Foot]

 

[DustyRusty]

I remember seeing a series of pictures of two people on the top of the arch, and each picture was "blown up" so you could see more of what they were doing. In the last picture are 2 people making love on the top of the gateway arch. Don't know if it was photoshopped, but it sure looked real to me.

 

[The Evil Twin]

My mom was born and raised in St. Looie. Well before the arch. When she and my dad went back after they were married, she went up in the elevator. My dad did did not. As one of those slide rule, chalk board, everything done by hand engineers (mechanical, later on naval weapon systems) he said "oh Hell no".

 

[trial and error]

I was up there as a kid, my aunt and uncle lived in St Louis at the time. I wish and hope I can experience it as an adult some day, becuase I'm not sure I appreciated it to the fullest as a kid

 

[ken erickson]

Some pretty interesting facts and pictures with this St Louis Post Dispatch article.

Dang, removed link as the second time I clicked on it it took me to a subscription page.

 

[D2Cat]

A few years back we were in St Louis and went up to the top the arch. We were in line and it wasn't until I saw the "basket" they were providing for the ride to the top that I realized how small it was. I got up there and wasn't too excited about the trip back down. I could climb 16 stories on big Brutus's boom but that enclosed tube...... no way.

Some of you may remember a few years back I rebuilt an 825 Bobcat. It was a nice machine especially after I put the Kubota engine in it. I had never ran a skid steer before and after that was completely rebuilt I ran it less then half hour when I realized tight spaces were not for me and sold it.

 

[GrizBota]

I have taught this monument for the last 30 years in my construction classes. Showing how they built this using slide rules and little or no computers.

How they shot the elevations at night using transits.

How the "crane tracks" where installed on the backs of each arch

How the south legs got hot and they had to cool with water to align the last piece!

Those nets were not for humans so much as for "bolts and nuts" falling.

They had to spread the legs a good amount to get the last piece in.

After talking about this with my wife over a 10 year period - she said "why don't we go there!!"
AND we did about 10 years ago - it was about 1000 mile drive - two days, stopped in Nashville and it was a wonderful trip.

ONE thing I was NOT prepared for ..... the ride up!!!! I did not do the study on this until we go ready to go up to the top. I was hoping I could walk up the stairs ---- o hell no, not possible.

SO there is a "elevator" ..... ya - sure!!!

Think of being in a 5' diameter dryer ----- if you are not claustrophobic - YOU WILL BE!!

About a 4 minute trip btw.

Here is a picture of it ( this is something I grabbed off the net)

View attachment 115013

The view is breath taking - you actually lean forward against the "wall" to look out the window.
Yeah - you are 630 feet up there too!

I would go back in a heartbeat for sure!

Thank you D2Cat for mentioning this!

Is the arch designed and constructed as a three hinged arch, or is it indeterminate?

 

[bbxlr8]

Born in St. Louis less than a year after it was completed. Grew up going there a lot, then every time we went back to my grandparents' house, then took my kids. Great fun for me and the kids - my wife was less than thrilled with the ride but did it Heck of a view especially when you lean over and look straight down.

One BIG thing no one mentioned is the movement, especially in high winds it can sway a lot more than you think it should. Designed for up to 18" @ 150mph. I have been up there when it was moving pretty good. Definitely much more than the 1-2 inches they say it does in 50mph. I remember it moving enough to mess up your walking, like >6".

 

[ctfjr]

On one of my motorcycle rides I ended up in St Louis and went to the top of the arch. It was a tight fit in that movable closet
The view from the top was pretty good but I was disappointed with the images I shot up there.