Happy 50th Birthday to the St. Louis Gateway Arch

One of the country's most recognizable and beloved architectural flourishes has many sordid stories to tell. Today is also its 50th birthday.

1 minute read

October 28, 2015, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gateway Arch

f11photo / Shutterstock

From the underreported history of the St. Louis Gateway Arch: a rigged vote for bond funding, an embarrassing failure to recognize the difference between Eero Saarinen (the son) and Eliel Saarinen (father), and a high-profile civil rights protest. An article by Greg Bailey brings light to these quizzical and critical moments in the Arch's history.

Bailey provides details about each of these episodes, dating back to the voter-approved bond that kick-started the Arch back in 1933. The historic tales are mean to shed renewed light on the Arch as the National Park Service celebrates the 50th anniversary of the structure today, with 1,000 free cupcakes and rides to the top of the Arch priced at the price of $1—the same price charged on the first day of the Arch's life as a civic monument.

In a separate article, Tim O'Neil reports that the Gateway Arch will be bathed in gold (via floodlight) for the anniversary event. 

Saturday, October 24, 2015 in Reuters

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

30 minutes ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News