a poem about things meant only
as a temporary or hidden support
October 28, 1965
On the
morning of October 28, 1965, workers used heavy jacks to force the legs of the
St. Louis Gateway Arch to 8.5 feet apart. The final piece of stainless steel was
eight feet wide. As the piece was put into place, work crew released pressure on
the jacks to secure the fit.
cheers, boat and car horns
we witnessed
it that morning
in queue
on a bridge
So long ago, in many ways feels like yesterday sitting on that bridge watching history being made.
ReplyDeleteDearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteWow, would have loved to have been there with you! I was but 14 but no doubt this would have been awesome to watch!
Hugs,
Mariette
And I was 24, driving my husband from IL to St. Louis and medical school classes. Public housing and three little boys under the age of three! An unbelievable memory.
DeleteYes, that would have been a great thing to see.
ReplyDeleteIt was magical ......
DeleteYou skillfully captured a special moment in time that few have recorded! Did you know then you were witnessing a piece of history, or were you just annoyed at being in a queue?! Great write!
ReplyDeleteFunny! It was fate that we were on Eads Bridge that morning, driving my husband to school in St. Louis, we lived across the river in IL.
DeleteIn 18 days, I'd be born in 1965:) I've seen the arch once. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou are a youngster, Ms. Margaret! And yes, the arch is stunning.
DeleteMust have been something to see!
ReplyDeleteMagic.
DeleteI'd liked to have seen parts of it being built. Mrs. Jim and I have been in it, don't go if you have claustrophobia, it is very tight quarters and it is a very slow ride. Going down was easier.
ReplyDeleteOur Houston Astrodome was completed in 1965, I was transferred here from New Hampshire to NASA Houston in 1964 and so watched it being built via TV. There was one fatality. But it has been out of use for several years since our new stadium was built. The Arch has lasted well.
..
I never tire of looking at it when I visit relatives and friends in Illinois and St. Louis, especially with lights at night. I have never gone up in it as I too dislike heights and close quarters.
DeleteWhat a memory! I bet the sounds were almost eerie, too. Thank you for sharing this glimpse of lived history.
ReplyDeleteThere were many boats on the Mississippi that morning, horns blaring in celebration.
DeleteCool thing to have witnessed. There are all kinds of supports.
ReplyDeleteWe watched it go up piece by piece for over two years. That morning was magical. It was serendipity my husband and I were on Eads Bridge, I was driving him from our home in Illinois to Washington University Medical School for class. We were poor, had three little boys under the age of three, lived in public housing and lucky to have a car. LOL
DeleteOh that sounds seriously cool! What a neat thing to have witnessed.
ReplyDelete