wildwood

An icon of Structural Expressionism, the Gateway Arch expresses both a timeless monumentality and a contemporary dynamism. Eero Saarinen’s revolutionary masterwork, a 630-foot-tall (and wide) catenary curve, is a powerful and symbolic expression of our young country’s westward expansion, for good or ill. The story of how the gleaming monument came to be—the agony and the ecstasy, if you will—is remarkable. Architect and historian John C. Guenther lives in a former cabin near Wildwood (in Rockwoods Reservation) with his wife, Jane—since his days at Chaminade, he’s designed its additions and renovations. Guenther’s new volume, The Gateway Arch: An Illustrated Timeline, seeks to “connect the dots” of history and take readers through the key events leading to the creation of the Gateway Arch. The book takes a detailed, chronological look at the historic foundations of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Enriched by historic images, it starts from the very beginning: when the Louisiana territory was controlled by France. The Gateway City’s central location has been key to U.S. history; Lewis and Clark began their Corps of Discovery Expedition here in 1804. Guenther explores the planning, growth and evolution of St. Louis and its riverfront. He reveals the vision, determination, persistence, collaboration, creativity and engineering innovation on the part of many; indeed, the design and realization of the Arch and renovations to its surrounding grounds continue to transform how this city looks and, more importantly, how it views itself. And architecture has transformed Guenther for more than 46 years, from one day during his senior year in high school after he turned in a technical drafting assignment, which was to design a house or an addition to one. Walter Ruesch, his teacher, asked, “Have you ever thought about being an architect?” That took the young man by surprise—at first.

“Those eight words would change my life forever!” Guenther exclaims. Those words have been instrumental in helping reconfigure the home where he and Jane raised four boys. And the words would change the look of St. Louis city and county, as well. Guenther humbly realizes he is one of many; he has great respect for his peers; reverence for a few. Saarinen, of course, is one. Gyo Obata is another giant; he’s responsible for everything from directing the design of the airport’s main terminal to designing the chapel at