East St. Louis in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Gateway Geyser
One of the tallest fountains in the world, the Gateway Geyser began operating on May 27, 1995, helping to fulfill Malcolm W. Martin's vision of creating a landmark in East St. Louis that would complement the Gateway Arch. The Gateway Geyser was established with the help of the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, a non-profit group founded by Martin whose members raised $4 million in private donations to fully fund the geyser's development.
By the Numbers
800
Powered by three 800-horsepower pumps, the Gateway Geyser can blast 8,000 gallons of water a minute.
15
Each eruption of the Gateway Geyser lasts approximately 15 minutes.
600
When the wind is less than 4 mph, the Gateway Geyser reaches a maximum height of 600 feet into the sky, matching the height of the Gateway Arch.
100
Four smaller fountains that erupt 100 feet into the air surround the main geyser, symbolizing the Mississippi, Missouri, Meramec and Illinois Rivers.
Erected by Gateway Foundation of Metropolitan St. Louis, Metro East Park and Recreation District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 37.344′ N, 90° 10.299′ W. Marker was in East St. Louis, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It was on West Trendley Avenue west of South Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 185 West Trendley Avenue, East Saint Louis IL 62201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Greater St. Louis. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Gateway Geyser (here, next to this marker); Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mississippi River Overlook (approx. 0.2 miles away); S. 4th St. and Railroad Ave. (approx. 0.4 miles away); York (approx. half a mile away); East St. Louis Race Massacre, July 1917 (approx. half a mile away); S. 5th St. and Railroad Ave. (approx. half a mile away); S. 6th St. and Railroad Ave. (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East St. Louis.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Lewis and Clark in Illinois (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding The Gateway Geyser.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
