Gateway Arch Facts and Trivia

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is a symbol of America's westward expansion. Completed in 1965, it stands 630 feet tall and is the tallest national monument in the U.S. The Arch's design, an inverted catenary curve, was conceived by Eero Saarinen. Construction faced numerous challenges, including safety concerns and engineering feats. Despite predictions of fatalities, no workers died during its construction. The Arch now serves as a major tourist attraction, offering stunning views of the city and the Mississippi River.

What is the official name of the St. Louis Arch?

• The Freedom Arch

• The Liberty Arch

• The Expansion Arch

• The Gateway Arch

What unique shape does the Gateway Arch have?

• A parabolic curve

• An inverted catenary curve

• A hyperbolic arch

• A traditional Roman arch

How many visitors approximately take the trip to the top of the Arch each year?

• 2 million

• 1 million

• 500,000

• 3 million

What is the height of the Gateway Arch?

• 630 feet

• 500 feet

• 700 feet

• 800 feet

Which two rivers made St. Louis a perfect way station for hunters and traders?

• The Ohio River and the Illinois River

• The Missouri River and the Ohio River

• The Mississippi River and the Missouri River

• The Illinois River and the Mississippi River

Who was the architect behind the winning design of the Gateway Arch?

• Luther Eli Smith

• Gilmore Clark

• Eero Saarinen

• John Dinkeloo

What was the main criticism against Eero Saarinen's design?

• It was too modern

• It was structurally unsound

• It was a copy of a fascist design

• It was too expensive

What unique construction equipment was used to lift the sections of the Arch?

• Scaffolding lifts

• Hydraulic cranes

• Tower cranes

• Creeper derricks

What inspired the design of the tram capsules inside the Arch?

• A roller coaster

• A compact car

• A cement mixer

• A Ferris wheel

How many people were predicted to die during the construction of the Arch?

• 5

• 10

• 13

• 15