St. Louis Arch: The Best Dumb Investment Ever

Recently the St. Louis Post Dispatch carried an article reminding us that on today's date in 1965, hydraulic jacks 630 feet in the air pried the two legs of the St. Louis Arch apart six feet to allow the last section to be inserted. Fire hoses cooled the legs to keep them from expanding.

Some public projects like this are duds. But the Arch has proven to be worth the investment many times over, creating a breathtaking, positive image in an urban core -- a trademark known all over the world. 

In Jefferson City when we talk about the ped/bike walkway across the bridge, or Adrian's Island, or MSP Redevelopment, or a conference center, we should look beyond the dashboard of one fiscal year and think about the impact of the St. Louis Arch -- it probably seemed pretty dumb to a lot of people at the time. 

Comments

[Mark Mehmert]

An excellent point!

[Bill in Jefferson City]

In the days before OSHA regulations, it is interesting to know that Jefferson City native Sue Ann Wood STOOD ON THE VERY TOP of the great Arch the day before they set in place the keystone. She was at the time a reporter for the St. Louis Globe- Democrat. She would later recieve a JCHS distinguished Alumni award.