Can you show me a timeline of the gateway arch?

Answer 1

December 15, 1933A Civic Committee is formed by Mayor Dickmann at a luncheon to work for establishment of a federal memorial to the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and pioneers of the Mississippi Valley on the central riverfront. Luther Ely Smith made chairman of the committee. June-July 1935City of St. Louis passed the necessary ordinances permitting its citizens to vote upon a bond issue to contribute up to $7,500,000 for a United States Territorial Expansion Memorial. Ord. 40,592. August 21, 1935President signed Act on "Historic Sites, Buildings, Objects, and Antiquities." September 10, 1935Citizens of St. Louis, at a special election, passed the $7,500,000 bond issue by more than a two-thirds majority. December 21, 1935President signed Executive Order 7253, designating Secretary of Interior to acquire and develop Jefferson National Expansion Memorial with allocation of $6,750,000 of Federal funds to be matched by $2,250,000 contributed by City of St. Louis.

The allocation of $6,750,000 was made upon application of U. S. Commission to Public Works Administration. The Memorial project was one item of a comprehensive program of public works prepared by the Public Works Administrator, under direction of the President, pursuant to provisions of Emergency Relief Act.

June 30, 1939Demolition begun-the first building in the area (No. 7 Market Street) was demolished. Demolition began Block 6, directly on the riverfront. A two-story brick building of no architectural or historical consequence was the first to go, and Mayor Dickmann was on hand with several members of the Memorial Association, newspaper photographers, JNEM staff, and others. The Mayor autographed bricks for several souvenir-hunters in the crowd. The demolition of all buildings to be removed from the Memorial area was completed in May 1942. 1945 to 1947The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association solicited funds to finance a nationwide architectural competition to obtain the best idea for developing the Memorial area. A subscription of $225,000 was completed in February 1947. January 1947The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association engaged Mr. George Howe, F. A. I. A., as Professional Advisor in conducting the competition. May 1947The United States Territorial Expansion Memorial Commission approved the plans prepared by the Professional Advisor for the nationwide competition. The program of the competition was mailed to the competitors. September 1947Five prizes of $10,000 each were awarded the winners of the first stage of the competition. February 1948Mr. Eero Saarinen and Associates was adjudged winner of the second and final stage of the competition. June 10, 1950Jefferson National Expansion Memorial site dedicated by President Harry S. Truman. April 2, 1951Luther Ely Smith dies. September 6, 1958President Eisenhower signed the bill on funds for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, authorizing expenditures totaling $17,250,000 for riverfront development and removing restrictions on design of arch, also permitting appropriations without the Federal budget being balanced. September 6, 1958President Eisenhower signed Public Law 85-936 authorizing $17,250,000 for construction of the Memorial in the ratio of $3 of Federal funds for each $1 of City money. March 10, 1959At a meeting held by the National Park Service, Mayor Raymond R. Tucker presented Mr. Howard W. Baker, Regional Director, Region Two, National Park Service, with a check for $880,000 representing the City's contribution for financing the First Phase of development. The money came from a bond issue voted in 1935 to provide $1 City money for each $3 Federal money for developing the Memorial. August 3, 1961President Kennedy signed the 1962 fiscal year Interior Department Appropriation Bill. Included in the bill was $9,497,000 for construction of the Gateway Arch and Visitor Center. Matching funds amounting to $2,835,667 from the City of St. Louis are available. March 14, 1962MacDonald Construction Company was awarded a contract in the amount of $11,442,418 for construction of the Gateway Arch and Visitor Center shell. February 12, 1963First stainless steel section of the Gateway Arch was set in place. October 28, 1965The exterior shell of the Gateway Arch was completed. Under Secretary of the Interior John A. Carver, Jr., was the principal speaker at ceremonies at the Arch.