why was the st louis arch built

The St. Louis Arch, also known as the Gateway Arch, was built as a monument to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States. It symbolizes the city of St. Louis' historical role as the "Gateway to the West" during the 19th-century migration into the trans-Mississippi West. The arch honors Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase and the subsequent opening of the West to settlers, as well as the pioneer spirit of those who moved westward. It was also intended to beautify the rundown riverfront of St. Louis, attract tourists, and provide jobs during the Great Depression. The idea for the arch came from Luther Ely Smith in the early 1930s, who sought to create a unique memorial that would celebrate this significant chapter in U.S. history. The arch was designed by architect Eero Saarinen, winning a nationwide competition in 1948, and was constructed between 1963 and 1965. It stands as the tallest monument in the United States and serves both as a striking architectural landmark and a symbol of national identity tied to westward expansion.