Grey Matter Media > United States of America > Green Gateway Arch
St. Louis, on the Mississippi River, was the gateway to American Westward Expansion. Many of the great American explorers, like Louis & Clark, began their exploration from there. East coasters intent on the 19th Century gold rushes passed through St. Louis, as did many of the homesteaders in their wagon trains. The 20th Century saw multiple migrations westward, on the rails and the roads. Route 66 runs through St. Louis on its route from Chicago to L.A. The Gateway Arch is a monument to St. Louis' status as Gateway to the West.