Mount Rushmore National Monument, SD

Mount Rushmore was the idea of South Dakota State Historian Doane Robinson. The two square mile park was named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer who was involved in the discovery of tin in South Dakota’s Black Hills. American sculptor Gutzon Borglum designed and led the creation of the monument along with 400 workers in 1927 to 1941. He was initially assisted by Ivan House, then his own son Lincoln. There was more planned, but construction stopped during World War II. The presidents’ heads measure 60ft. They are George Washington 1732-1799, Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826, Theodore Roosevelt 1858-1919 and Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865. Gutzon selected them because in his mind they represent the most important events in the history of the United States.

We visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial Site on June 6th, 2022. It was a beautiful albeit cloudy day. We hiked the 1 mile Mount Rushmore and Presidential Trail Loop stopping to read the displays. I enjoyed looking at the monument from different perspectives. Make sure you walk the trail when you visit this landmark. The visit culminated in watching and recording an Indian American dance performance celebrating the heritage of the Lakota Indian tribe. I uploaded two short recordings. There is a museum on the premise, an ice-cream shop and a large gift store. Parking is $10 per vehicle, there is no admission fee to enter.

Reference Monument NPS Web Site, Why these presidents, AllTrails, The History Behind Mt Rushmore

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