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Rising to a triumphant height of 630 feet, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is a revered monument to Americas western expansion. Envisioned in 1947 but not completed until the mid-1960s, the arch today attracts millions of tourists annually and is one of the worlds most widely recognized structures. By weaving together social, political, and cultural history, historian Tracy Campbell uncovers the complicated and troubling history of the beloved structure. Thiscompelling book explores how a medley of players with widely divergent motivations civic pride, ambition,greed, among others brought the Gateway Arch to fruition, but at a price the city continues to pay.Campbell dispels long-held myths and casts a provocative new light on the true origins and meaning of the Gateway Arch.