Gateway to the West: 7 Must-See Historical Landmarks in St. Louis' Iconic Past

No landmark captures the spirit of St. Louis—or America's westward journey—quite like the Gateway Arch. At 630 feet tall, this gleaming monument rises from the riverfront like a massive stainless steel sail catching the winds of history.

As someone who's spent his life on water, I appreciate monuments that echo nautical themes, even unintentionally. The Arch's graceful curve reminds me of the elegant prow of a ship breaking through waves—appropriate for a city that served as the launching point for countless westward journeys.

The tram ride to the top provides views that would make any river captain envious. Looking east across the Mississippi, you can trace the river's path as it winds toward the Gulf of Mexico. To the west lies the vast expanse that called to pioneers and explorers. I recommend bringing a good pair of compact binoculars to fully appreciate the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers from this height—a meeting of waters that changed the course of American history.

Just a short walk from the Arch stands the Old Courthouse, where the waves of America's reckoning with slavery began to form. This is where enslaved Dred Scott and his wife Harriet first sued for their freedom in 1846, initiating a legal battle that would culminate in one of the Supreme Court's most infamous decisions.

The building itself is an architectural marvel with its cast-iron dome (modeled after St. Peter's Basilica) and rotunda featuring intricate murals. But it's the human stories that resonate most powerfully here. As I wandered through the restored courtrooms, I found myself thinking about how often history's most significant currents begin as small disturbances—a single person standing up and demanding justice.

The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and provide excellent context for families with children of various ages. I saw parents using the National Geographic Kids Everything Civil Rights Movement book to help younger visitors understand the significance of what happened here, bridging the gap between then and now in terms kids can grasp.

As someone who's spent decades studying waterways and navigating various vessels, I hold a special appreciation for the Eads Bridge. Completed in 1874, it was the world's first steel truss bridge and the longest arch bridge on earth at that time. Engineer James Eads, who had previously designed riverboats and salvage vessels, understood the Mississippi's temperamental nature better than most.

The bridge's construction involved revolutionary techniques, including the use of pneumatic caissons that allowed workers (called "caisson men") to excavate the riverbed beneath the water's surface—similar in principle to how modern divers work in underwater habitats. Many suffered from "caisson disease" (what we now call decompression sickness), making this bridge a monument to human ingenuity and sacrifice.

Today, you can walk across its pedestrian pathway for spectacular views of the river and city skyline. I spent a contemplative afternoon here with my travel journal recording observations about river traffic and sketching the distinctive triple arches—a practice I've maintained since my marine biology days. For photography enthusiasts, the bridge provides excellent framing opportunities for capturing the Gateway Arch from unique angles.

After days spent exploring monuments to grand historical movements, I found the Campbell House Museum offered a delightful change of pace—an intimate glimpse into the daily life of St. Louis' wealthy merchant class during the Victorian era. This meticulously restored townhouse belonged to fur trader and entrepreneur Robert Campbell and his family from 1854 to 1938.

As someone who now lives aboard a vessel filled with carefully chosen possessions, I was fascinated by the Campbells' material world—the ornate furniture, elaborate textiles, and extensive collections that defined upper-class domestic life in the 19th century. The contrast between this opulent home and the spartan quarters aboard riverboats of the same era couldn't be more striking.

The museum offers excellent guided tours that bring the Campbell family's stories to life. I was particularly impressed by the preservation work—photographs from the early 20th century were used to ensure accurate placement of original furnishings. For families with children interested in history, I recommend picking up the Victorian House Coloring Book from the gift shop, which helps younger visitors appreciate architectural details they might otherwise overlook.

Just across the river in Illinois lies a site that predates St. Louis by nearly a millennium—the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. As someone who studies the relationship between waterways and human civilization, I find this ancient Native American city profoundly moving. At its peak around 1200 CE, Cahokia was the largest urban center north of Mexico, home to as many as 20,000 people who built massive earthen mounds for ceremonial, residential, and burial purposes.

The site's centerpiece, Monks Mound, rises 100 feet above the floodplain and covers 14 acres at its base. Standing atop it, looking toward the Mississippi River that facilitated Cahokian trade networks, I felt the same sense of awe I experience when navigating Europe's ancient waterways—the recognition that water has always connected us, always sustained our civilizations.

For families, Cahokia offers an excellent opportunity to discuss indigenous history and engineering achievements. The interpretive center provides context through artifacts, dioramas, and a short film. I recommend bringing a field guide to help identify the various cultural elements and architectural features. Walking the grounds, children can burn energy while adults contemplate the sophisticated society that thrived here long before European contact.

Situated in beautiful Forest Park, the Missouri History Museum serves as an excellent anchor point for understanding St. Louis' complex historical currents. The museum's permanent exhibits trace the city's evolution from French trading post to bustling riverboat hub to modern metropolis.

I was particularly drawn to the exhibits on river commerce and transportation—subjects close to my heart as both a former marine biologist and current houseboat dweller. The 1904 World's Fair exhibit also captivated me, showcasing how St. Louis once positioned itself as a global city at the threshold of the 20th century.

For families with children, the museum offers excellent interactive elements that make history tangible. I observed parents using the interactive history journal available in the museum shop to guide their children through exhibits with age-appropriate scavenger hunts and reflection questions. The museum's approach reminded me of how I structure my podcast episodes—weaving together artifacts, personal stories, and broader historical contexts to create meaningful narratives.

Don't miss the excellent temporary exhibitions, which often explore overlooked aspects of regional history. During my visit, a compelling exhibit examined the environmental history of the Mississippi watershed—a subject that bridged my past career with my current interests in cultural preservation and sustainable tourism.

My father served in the Navy during the Korean War, so military museums always hold personal significance for me. The recently renovated Soldiers Memorial Military Museum offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at American military history through the lens of St. Louis and Missouri.

The memorial building itself, with its art deco design and limestone façade, was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. Inside, exhibits trace the region's military connections from the American Revolution through modern conflicts. The Court of Honor outside provides a contemplative space to reflect on sacrifice and service.

What impressed me most was how the museum contextualizes war within broader social and political currents—showing how conflicts shaped and were shaped by American society. For families navigating difficult conversations about war with children, I recommend the children's guide available in the museum store, which presents history in an age-appropriate but honest manner.

As someone who's navigated many of the world's waterways, I found myself drawn to exhibits on riverine warfare and naval contributions from the region. The Mississippi River's strategic importance during the Civil War receives particular attention, highlighting how control of waterways often determines historical outcomes—a theme that resonates throughout St. Louis' story.