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About Mount Rushmore
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Mount Rushmore Memorial
After years of lobbying, construction of this massive memorial began in 1927 and lasted until 1941. While work continued on and off during this time period, it is estimated that the Mount Rushmore memorial took six and a half continuous years of working to complete.
The Vision
Mount Rushmore was indirectly the idea of South Dakota State Historical Society superintendent Doane Robinson. Originally Robinson had wanted to mountain to feature portraits of Old West heroes like Buffalo Bill and Lewis and Clark. After many years of lobbying and letter writing, Robinson finally attracted the attention of Senator Peter Norbeck who encouraged Robinson to find a master sculptor to take on the project. Who did Robinson find to complete the job? It was world class artist Gutzon Borglum who arrived in South Dakota in 1924. Borglum was a rather stubborn man and immediately told Robinson that he would not construct the mountain with portraits of local heroes, rather he wanted something more grand. Robinson reluctantly agreed and the search for an appropriate mountain began. After months of searching Borglum and Robinson found Harney Peak, which they deemed perfect for their huge dream. The men quickly gained permission to build in the state park and began the search for funding. It took several years and a visit from President Calvin Coolidge before federal funding was granted in 1927. At the official dedication sculptor Gutzon Borglum drilled six holes in the mountain to commence the project of his life.
Mount Rushmore Today
Today the Mount Rushmore memorial is one of the most recognized national symbols in the country. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to the memorial yearly to view the amazing artwork and ingenuity that came from the brains of a few creative men. While the memorial is the greatest free attraction in America, there are plenty of things to do in the area than simply view the memorial. You can check out the Visitor's Center, book store, History Center, and so much more while you are at the National Memorial. You could also enjoy the camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities that the Mount Rushmore area has to offer. Another popular activity is rockhounding, which involves searching for precious minerals that are quite common in the area. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and nature trails also offer a wonderful chance to see the beautiful area that the greatest National Memorial in the United States calls home.
The Vision
Mount Rushmore was indirectly the idea of South Dakota State Historical Society superintendent Doane Robinson. Originally Robinson had wanted to mountain to feature portraits of Old West heroes like Buffalo Bill and Lewis and Clark. After many years of lobbying and letter writing, Robinson finally attracted the attention of Senator Peter Norbeck who encouraged Robinson to find a master sculptor to take on the project. Who did Robinson find to complete the job? It was world class artist Gutzon Borglum who arrived in South Dakota in 1924. Borglum was a rather stubborn man and immediately told Robinson that he would not construct the mountain with portraits of local heroes, rather he wanted something more grand. Robinson reluctantly agreed and the search for an appropriate mountain began. After months of searching Borglum and Robinson found Harney Peak, which they deemed perfect for their huge dream. The men quickly gained permission to build in the state park and began the search for funding. It took several years and a visit from President Calvin Coolidge before federal funding was granted in 1927. At the official dedication sculptor Gutzon Borglum drilled six holes in the mountain to commence the project of his life.
Mount Rushmore Today
Today the Mount Rushmore memorial is one of the most recognized national symbols in the country. Tens of thousands of visitors flock to the memorial yearly to view the amazing artwork and ingenuity that came from the brains of a few creative men. While the memorial is the greatest free attraction in America, there are plenty of things to do in the area than simply view the memorial. You can check out the Visitor's Center, book store, History Center, and so much more while you are at the National Memorial. You could also enjoy the camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities that the Mount Rushmore area has to offer. Another popular activity is rockhounding, which involves searching for precious minerals that are quite common in the area. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and nature trails also offer a wonderful chance to see the beautiful area that the greatest National Memorial in the United States calls home.