Saint Louis Arch Marks Milestone

The towering, shimmering Gateway Arch that's St. Louis' famously defining feature is about to celebrate a monumental anniversary. A half-century ago on Wednesday, crews in 1965 installed the final stainless steel section at the apex of the 630-foot-tall tribute to President Thomas Jefferson and the pioneers for whom St. Louis served as a gateway to the West. Mayor Francis Slay and other dignitaries plan to commemorate that moment with a ceremony. And at the Missouri History Museum Wednesday morning, workers who helped build the arch will offer their recollections during a public discussion. The arch opened to visitors in 1967. The National Park Service says it drew roughly 2 million visitors last year. Wednesday's celebrations come as the landmark and its grounds undergo an ambitious $380 million renovation.