Spring Break 2018 - Educational Tour & Travel This "Gateway to the West" in St. Louis, Missouri (USA) is a 630-foot (192- meter) monument. It was designed in 1947 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. Construction began on February 12, 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965. The monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967 and has become an internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis.