Riverfront Sunset

A nice view of Eads Bridge with downtown St. Louis and the Arch in the background. The Arch signifies St. Louis’ status as Gateway to the West. Many westbound trails came out of the St. Louis area. In addition, many of the supplies, livestock and wagons were purchased here, making it, at one time, theContinue reading “Riverfront Sunset”

Eads Bridge

Needing a railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at St. Louis, St. Louis bankers hired engineer James Eads to build the world’s first steel-truss bridge. Construction began in 1867 and it was dedicated in 1874. Giant granite piers support three arches and two decks. The top deck is the roadway and the bottom deck wasContinue reading “Eads Bridge”

Eads Bridge crossing the Mississippi

At the Missouri State Capitol, looking across a balcony, onto another parallel hallway is a mural of the St. Louis river front and Eads Bridge. At the end of the 19th Century, St. Louis was in the forefront of commerce in the United States. Riverboats on the Mississippi and the railway enhanced its status asContinue reading “Eads Bridge crossing the Mississippi”

Power Station

Recently one of our riverfront bridges was closed to automobile traffic allowing pedestrian traffic and spectaular views. Here we a looking north from the MLK Bridge on the St. Louis Riverfront. In the forground is the old Union Electric Power Plant and the Stan Musial Bridge, spanning the Mississippi River. Click on photo to fullContinue reading “Power Station”

Missouri River

View of the Missouri River from above bluffs. The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of the Eastern Centennial Mountains of Southwestern Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri.

19th Century Marvel

Eads Bridge, built in 1861, provides transportation across the Mississippi River by car, foot or rail. The bridge itself made St. Louis the true gateway to the west but the engineering techniques developed in the building of the bridge led to engineering marvels that created the Hoover Dam, Panama Canal and development of our westernContinue reading “19th Century Marvel”

Mississippi River Sunrise

One of the best places to observe spectacular sunrises is at the White House Retreat in South St. Louis County. This is on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River valley and early morning risers are rarely disappointed.

Reflections in a storm

The word “reflections” in the heading of this photo is not of the photography sense such as reflections in the water. This is a retreat house where you spend two to three days in silent reflection. The White House Retreat in South St. Louis County is a spectacular place perched on a bluff overlooking theContinue reading “Reflections in a storm”

Sunset at the Arch

St. Louis’ Gateway Arch makes a great subject for photography with endless possibilities. This photo was taken from a viewing platform in East St. Louis, Illinois. The platform gives various heights for a good angle. However, there are power lines and other structures in the way so it is not possible to get a “clean”Continue reading “Sunset at the Arch”

Sunset on the Past

The Chain of Rocks Bridge allowed the famous Route 66 to cross the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Now it is closed to automobile traffic and is a bike/walking path. The castle like structure is a water intake for the City of St. Louis water supply. These structures are on the northern edge of theContinue reading “Sunset on the Past”