Missouri History Today October 28, 1965: Gateway Arch’s Iconic Silhouette Fills Out In St. Louis
Gateway Arch
The Blues at the Arch Festival pays tribute to St. Louis’ storied blues history and showcases the talents of national and local entertainers in the North Gateway of Gateway Arch National Park, near the Eads Bridge and Laclede’s Landing.
Eero Saarinen’s design of a 630-foot stainless steel arch was chosen as the new riverfront memorial in St. Louis. This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books …
Kenneth Swyers of Overland slid down the north leg of the Arch to his death. He had parachuted to the top of the Arch as a publicity stunt, but the wind caught his chute and sent him down the side.
The tallest national monument in America, St. Louis’s Gateway Arch was completed on this date.
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial has been renamed Gateway Arch National Park, opening a new chapter for the stainless steel monument and for the city of St. Louis.
