Photo above: Photo of workmen, including Lincoln Borglum, the sculpter's son who completed the work, working on George Washington, 1932, Rise Studio. Courtesy Library of Congress. Right: Close up photo of Mount Rushmore; President George Washington, President Thomas Jefferson, President Theodore Roosevelt, and President Abraham Lincoln. Courtesy America's Best History.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
It was meant by civic leaders as an inducement for tourists to come to the Black Hills of South Dakota, and that sure has happened, over two million visitors per year. However, what was at first going to be a monument to western heros at a more southern location in the Black Hills, was changed when sculptor Gutzon Borglum came aboard. He said a northern site, then known as Six Grandfathers, had better rock, granite, and the topic of the three greatest presidents would draw a lot more folks. Political leaders agreed, both locally, Doane Robinson and Peter Norbeck for two, and nationally. President Coolidge would arrive to dedicate its construction in 1927. It would take fourteen years for the sixty foot tall faces to emerge 5,725 feet above sea level. But there are four president on the monument, you only mentioned three? Yes. Mistakes were made. They had to fill in a hole.
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Mount Rushmore Then
For thousands of years, the mountain had been known by the Lakota as Thungkasila Sakpe, or Six Grandfathers. The Lakota, one of three different tribes (Nakota, Dakota, Lakota) that the white man would call the Sioux. That name, meaning head of a snake, was not, and is not, preferred by the tribes, although they, today, do not vex on it. In 1885, Charles Rushmore visited the Black Hills, an attorney interested in mining claims, and renamed it for himself. Arrogant for certain, but without his knowing, would be home to the colossal patriotic carving. South Dakota and North Dakota became states four years later.
Photo above: Overall picture of mountain under carving when Jefferson was attempted to be sculpted on the left of Washington. Unstable rock necesitated Jefferson be moved to the right, prior to 1941, unknown U.S. Government Employee. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons. Below: Longer view at night of Mount Rushmore from the Grand View Terrace at head of the Court of Flags with sculpture lit in the background. Courtesy America's Best History.
Mount Rushmore Now
Over two million people visit Mount Rushmore every year, with its nightly presentation of ranger talk, a film, and the lighting of the monumental faces the highlight of the day for the circa 1,500 seat amphitheater that sits below the mountain. There is a Court of Flags that you walk up to the first major viewing platform, with Visitor Center beneath. A circular trail, with four hundred and twenty-five steps, takes you closer to the statue, about one third the way up, and winds back past Borglum's studio to the Grand View Terrace. There might even be a living history interpretor portraying one of the Presidents somewhere nearby. Lincoln was there when we visited.
The Visitor Center below the Terrace is virtually hidden from sight, and includes a film, exhibits, restrooms, and visitor information. Although even there, the ever present monument can be seen and the amphitheatre accessed. There are a variety of hikes and talks during the day as well.
Minute Walk in History
Walk and listen to one of the most patriotic sites and ceremonies at Mount Rushmore; the site honoring in gigantic stone sculptures of four of our most consequential presidents; President George Washington, President Thomas Jefferson, President Theodore Roosevelt, and President Lincoln. While no man is perfect, these men shepherded our nation through the first one hundred and fifty years of our history, making the USA the most powerful nation, both economically and militarily on earth. Let us hope the presidents to come may match their achievements. Ranger walks, talks, and the nightime ceremony of a movie, lighting of the monument, and honoring those in attendance who served in the military or whose families gave the final sacrifice. A site that every patriotic American should get to see at least once in their lives.
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Things You Should Not Miss
1. Stay for the night presentation. If you have a patriotic bone in your body, the program will make you love the United States even more. Since your parking pass is good for an entire year, you might even like it so much you'll go back a second night.
2. There is something special about the first sighting of the Memorial. As you enter the entrance gate, a Court of Flags representing all of the United States states and territories and as you stroll closer and closer to the monument high above, it can almost take your breath away.
3. A guided walk or self-guided walk on the Presidential trail, only 6/10 of a mile, but with four hundred and twenty-five steps, gives you a closer and different view. Although you might strain your neck a bit, you are much closer than at the Viewing Terrace, and might be able to see up Washington's nose, or think a tree is growing into Roosevelt's mustache.