THE GATEWAY ARCH IS THE NEWEST NATIONAL PARK, less than 5 months old when we visited. Granted, the Arch — along with the Cardinals — has been the symbol of St. Louis since 1965, but now it is officially a part of the National Park System. We could see it from Busch Stadium where we watched the Cardinals beat Cincinnati on Sunday.
Busch Stadium . . . and Gateway Arch
We could still see the Arch from farther afield at UNESCO World Heritage Cahokia Mounds, the “largest prehistoric earthen construction north of Mexico.” St. Louis and the Arch are visible from atop Monks Mound, the tallest structure at Cahokia. One of the archeologists told us that only 1% of the site has been excavated, so I don’t feel too bad about my ignorance about the Cahokia.
Monks Mound Artist rendition, Cahokia Mounds
We also visited Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, also known as White Haven, at Grantwood in the suburbs of St. Louis, not to be confused with Grant's Farm. Grant first met Julia Dent, his future wife, here when White Haven was the family home. From 1854 to 1859 Grant lived here with his wife, Julia, and their children, managing the farm for his father-in-law. Some historians believe that working alongside black slaves helped form the future Civil War victor and 18th President's anti-slavery beliefs.
US Grant White Haven, Grant NHS
