Aloe Plaza, Saint Louis

Aloe Plaza opened in 1932 as part of an effort to improve the area around the nearby transportation hub and provide an open gateway to the downtown district. It was named after Louis P. Aloe, President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen from 1916 to 1923, whose support for a 1923 public bond issue helped fund the square's development.

The plaza is best known for The Meeting of the Waters, a large bronze fountain dedicated in 1940 by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. Commissioned by Aloe's widow, Edith Aloe, and inspired by the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the monument features 19 bronze figures. These include male and female personifications of the rivers surrounded by 17 tritons, naiads, and fish representing their tributaries. Multiple fountains and cascading pools emphasize the movement of water, making the artwork the focal point of the square. Originally titled The Wedding of the Rivers, the sculpture was renamed before its dedication following public criticism of its nude figures.

Open lawns, paved walkways, and rows of mature trees frame the fountain, while the plaza's open layout provides views of historic Union Station and connects with the Gateway Mall. Today, it serves as a public gathering place for seasonal events and community activities, with restoration work preserving the bronze sculptures and maintaining its water system.