The Gateway Arch, located on the banks of the Mississippi River, commemorates Thomas Jefferson at the same time that it symbolizes the door to the American West (i.e., western expansion). The stainless steel-plated arch is in the shape of an inverted, weighted catenary curve. It spans 630 feet at ground level from outer edge to outer edge and is 630 feet high, making it the tallest man-made monument in the US. The concrete foundation reaches 60 feet into the ground, greatly contributing to the arch's stability. In order to withstand strong winds and earthquakes, the top of the arch was designed to sway up to 18 inches.
The observation deck at the top, accessed by a passenger train which climbs the wall of the arch, provides panoramic views to the east and west.
Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen originally studied sculpture, and this influence is apparent in much of his architecture. His other work includes Dulles Airport, Kresge Auditorium (Cambridge, Massachusetts), and TWA (New York City).
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