If you want to truly understand the definition of “awe inspiring”, stand before the Mount Rushmore National Memorial!
Welcome to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
About to enter the parade of flags at Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Black Hills National Forest on the way to Mount Rushmore
Needle-like mountains and tunnel on our short drive from the RV to Mount Rushmore
For more years than I can remember, I have imagined standing in front of this magnificent sculpture. The heads of four Presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – all chosen to be memorialized here because the artist, Gutzon Borglum, felt they represented the most important events in the history of the United States.
American History brought to life in stone
That, my friends, is the definition of awe inspiring!
These majestic sculptures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are surrounded by the incredible beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota. They tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of our amazing country. Visiting Mount Rushmore brings us face to face with the rich heritage we all share as Americans.
A national memorial
Displayed at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the bronze bust of its artist Gutzon Borglum that was created by his son Lincoln
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial, in Keystone SD is built around the colossal sculpture that was carved into the granite of Mount Rushmore by Gutzon Borglum. He created the sculpture’s design and oversaw the execution of the project from 1927 until 1941, assisted by his son Lincoln.
The sculpture is composed of four 60-foot heads of United States Presidents. Each were chosen to symbolize birth – George Washington, growth – Thomas Jefferson, development – Theodore Roosevelt, and preservation – Abraham Lincoln.
The memorial park covers about 2 square miles, and the mountain itself has an elevation of 5,725 feet.
History
As the clouds roll in they cast ominous shadows on the faces of the four Presidents
The sculptor and tribal representatives agreed on the location of Mount Rushmore because it had the advantage of facing southeast for maximum sun exposure. Originally Diane Robinson wanted the memorial to feature heroes of the American West, such as Lewis and Clark, their expedition guide Sacagawea, Oglala Lakota chief Red Cloud, Buffalo Bill Cody and Oglala Lakota chief Crazy Horse. However, Borglum was firm in his belief that the sculpture should have broader appeal and chose the four presidents.
Peter Norbeck
First, 5th and 38th States to join the union.
Peter Norbeck, a United States Senator from South Dakota, was the one who sponsored the project and secured the necessary federal funding. The construction of this monumental project began in 1927 and was completed between 1934 and 1939. Gutzon Borglum died in March 1941. At that point his son Lincoln took over as leader of the project. It was originally planned that each president would be depicted from head to waist. But unfortunately a lack of funding forced construction to cease on October 31, 1941.
Why These Four Presidents?
George Washington, First President of the United States
George Washington was born in 1732 and died in 1799. He led the colonists in the American Revolutionary War in order to win independence from Great Britain. It’s for that reason that we refer to him as the father of our country. And he laid the foundation for American democracy. Borglum chose Washington to be the most prominent figure on the mountain and represent the birth of the United States.
To quote George Washington: “The preservation of the sacred fire of Liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” George Washington
Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States
Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 and died in 1826. Jefferson, as we learned way back in Elementary School, was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. That is a document that inspires democracies around the world to this day. He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 (Thank you TJ for giving us NOLA!) which doubled the size of our country, adding all or part of fifteen present-day states. That is why Gutzon Borglum chose Jefferson, because to him, he represents the growth of the United States.
“We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted with self – government.” Thomas Jefferson
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was born in 1858 and died in 1919. Roosevelt provided leadership America needed as it experienced rapid economic growth moving into the 20th Century. He was instrumental in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, linking the east and the west. He was known as the “trust buster” for his work to end large corporate monopolies and ensure the rights of the common working man. Roosevelt was chosen by Borglum to represent the development of the United States.
“The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight – that he shall not be a mere passenger.” Theodore Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 and died by assassination in 1865. Lincoln was instrumental in holding the nation together during America’s greatest trial, the Civil War. He truly believed his most sacred duty was the preservation of the union. It was his firm conviction that slavery must be abolished. And that is why Gutzon Borglum chose Abraham Lincoln to represent the preservation of the United States.
“I leave you hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal.” Abraham Lincoln
Did you know?
As those storm clouds rolled out the sunshine lit the faces of George, Paul, John and Ringo. Just making sure you are paying attention. Of course those are the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln
1. There is a hidden Hall of Records. It is hidden behind Abraham Lincoln’s head on Mount Rushmore, where there’s an entrance to what would have been the Hall of Records. It was Borglum’s plan to create a room inside the mountain where documents and artifacts could be put on display. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough funding to complete that project.
2. There was an actual person, Charles E. Rushmore, for whom Mount Rushmore was named! He was a lawyer from New York City, who as a young attorney, traveled to South Dakota to survey and scope out tin mines that had recently been discovered there. While in South Dakota he made friends with a group of prospectors and asked them what the hills were called. They told him that the hill he was pointing at had no name, but they would now call it Rushmore Peak!
3. Many have speculated that there’s a fifth face carved into Mount Rushmore. There is no secret face! But, for more than 20 years, visitors to Mount Rushmore were greeted by Ben Black Elk, who was unofficially called the fifth face of Mount Rushmore. He was a successful ranch had traveled extensively. Ben Black Elk testified before Congress on the importance of teaching Indian history to Indians. It has been estimated by historians that 5,000 photos a day were taken of him during his 27 years at Mount Rushmore.
4. If you are curious as to just how big the presidents are, they are each about 60 feet tall. Each of the heads has a slightly different proportion. Each eye is 11-feet long and each mouth is 18-feet across. I know that seems gigantic, but remember that the original plan was to carve the full bodies of each president into the mountain!
Welcome to the Crazy Horse Memorial
A work in progress, only the face is complete. The artist started this in 1948 and it is by no means close to finished!
A closer look at the Crazy Horse Memorial. Will it ever be finished?
5. Mount Rushmore is NOT the largest mountain carving. Just down the road, about 40 minutes away, stands the largest mountain carving that is still a work in progress. The Crazy Horse Memorial was started by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski who joined forces with Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear to create a memorial honoring American Indians. The Crazy Horse Memorial is still under construction, but Crazy Horse’s face is 27-feet larger than Washington’s!
6. Is there anything inside Mount Rushmore? There is a hall with recesses that house bronze and glass cabinets which contain important historical documents, such as the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Additional items included in the hall would be busts of famous Americans and a list of United States contributions to the world in science, industry and the arts.
In conclusion
All of these people with one common goal – viewing Mount Rushmore
Steve and I were thrilled and awe struck to be standing before this majestic treasure!!!
This Shrine of Democracy, as it is often referred to, draws more than two million visitors each year. And this year The Traveling Locavores are proud and thrilled to have been two of those visitors. In fact, we stayed in Keystone for five days and had a look at Mount Rushmore each one of those days. One day we even went twice so that we could see the faces lit up. It was so beautiful! But our night time photos as, not so much. I guess we will just have to plan a do over!!!
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