Trip to Arch offers great views

Dear readers,These travel columns share tips for day trips that you and your family can take around Missouri and Southern Illinois. Here's one that's not too far from home: the St. Louis Arch.

Commonly called the Arch, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park was established on the banks of the Mississippi River on Dec. 21, 1935, to commemorate the westward growth of the United States between 1803 and 1890.

Cost for the $30 million national monument was shared by the federal government and the city of St. Louis. The park features the Gateway Arch, designed by architect Eero Saarinen, who won the design competition in 1947. The stainless-steel structure rises 630 feet from a 60-foot foundation and spans 630 feet at ground level. Construction on the nation's tallest memorial began in 1961 with the "topping out" in 1965 and dedication in 1966.

The floor plan of the underground visitor center follows a circular pattern, with galleries depicting a 100-year span of westward expansion and the Tucker Theatre.

The area of the visitor center is mind-blowing. A full-sized covered wagon and a stuffed bison are among the things you will see. Additional attractions include two passenger trams to the observation room at the top and the Museum of Westward Expansion.

The ride to the top of the Arch is well worth the time and money. You can see all over St. Louis from there, especially downtown and the ballpark.

The theater runs a 20-minute film about the making of the Arch. One thing I remember from the film is that builders predicted that with the height of the Arch and the time it would take to build it 12 people would die in the project. When the Arch was finished, no one had died during its construction.

Visitors to the Gateway Arch can step back in time and savor the past at Levee Mercantile. The 1870s-style riverfront general store is located in the visitor center beneath the Arch. Many food products selected for Levee Mercantile feature Missouri artisans who use traditional recipes and time-honored production methods.

For information, phone the St. Louis Gateway Arch Jefferson National Expansion Memorial at (314) 982-1410.

While you're there, check out the historic Old Cathedral

St. Louis' historic Old Cathedral, known officially as the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, is one of the world's most honored churches. It stands on a tiny plot on the downtown riverfront near the south leg of the Gateway Arch. The original log chapel was dedicated more than 200 years ago in 1770.

On the front of the cathedral over the door you will see written in Hebrew Yod He Vau He, which is the name of God. It is also written in Latin.

In 1961, the most important honor ever afforded any American church was handed down by the late Pope John XXIII who decreed Basilican status upon the church. An intensive rehabilitation on the cathedral's appearance was completed in 1963. Visitors can see the tomb of Bishop Joseph Rosati, builder of the present cathedral, paintings dating back to the late 1700s and a dramatic series of Arteaga photos at the Old Cathedral Museum.

For more information, call (314) 231-3250.

Send your comments and suggestions to Bill Coomer at the Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701, or e-mail him at bcoomer@semissourian.com.