The Mississippi River has long been a source of inspiration for writers, artists, and photographers. As one of America’s most iconic waterways, it is both a natural marvel and a cultural landmark.
Parking along the riverfront, my first shots looked northward up the Mississippi River. Here, the wide sweep of water creates a sense of timelessness. It has been a channel for commerce, migration, and culture with the rest of the world for almost three centuries.
Turning my camera westward, the skyline of St. Louis is unmistakably dominated by the Gateway Arch. Rising 630 feet into the sky, the Arch is not just a piece of architecture, it is a national monument to America’s westward expansion.
The Old Courthouse near the Gateway Arch provides a great photo opportunity. The courthouse had a dark role in American history hosting the landmark Dred Scott’s trial.
Completed in 1874, the Eads Bridge was the first steel-arch bridge over the Mississippi River, showcasing groundbreaking engineering. It linked St. Louis to the nation’s rail network, symbolizing innovation and industrial progress in post–Civil War America.
Turning my attention eastward, I found myself photographing one of the modern bridges that span the Mississippi River. While older structures like the Eads Bridge and the Chain of Rocks Bridge are icons in their own right, the newer bridges bring a sense of mundane and no inspiring design to the riverfront.
Mississippi River photography – Kent Bausman
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