The Gateway Geyser

The Gateway Geyser. , For nearly 30 years, the Gateway Geyser graced the East St. Louis riverfront. This visionary project was the brainchild of Malcolm W. Martin, a philanthropist and civic leader who sought to fulfill Gateway Arch architect Eero Saarinen's unrealized vision to extend the Gateway Arch National Park into Illinois., In 1968, Martin founded the Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis, a non-profit group that still exists today. The nonprofit worked tirelessly to protect the tract of land that is now Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and raised $4 million in private donations to construct the geyser. , During optimal conditions, the Gateway Geyser would erupt 630 feet into the air, mirroring the iconic Gateway Arch on the opposite side of the Mississippi River. It was the tallest water fountain in the United States and one of the largest worldwide., Beyond its height, the geyser was a source of wonder for visitors. Its powerful spray and dazzling displays were a popular attraction, drawing people from all over to witness its grandeur every day at noon., The Gateway Geyser's closure represents the ending of one chapter and the start of a new in Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park's story and marks an important step forward for the potential Illinois Expansion., By the Numbers , 800 , Powered by three 800-horsepower pumps, the Gateway Geyser could blast 8,000 gallons of water a minute., 10 , Each eruption of the Gateway Geyser lasted approximately 10 minutes., 630 , When the wind was less than 4 mph, the Gateway Geyser reached a maximum height of 630 feet into the sky, matching the height of the Gateway Arch., 100 , Four smaller fountains that erupt 100 feet into the air surrounded the main geyser, symbolizing the Mississippi, Missouri, Meramec and Illinois Rivers.