Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota are the iconic faces of four former presidents of the United States--George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These men were chosen to represent the first 150 years of American history and America’s cultural heritage.

The idea came from Doane Robinson to promote tourism in South Dakota and his idea was wildly successful--the park attracts almost 3 million park visitors every year. Gutzon Borglum designed the sculpture. Though he passed away before its completion, over 400 workers helped bring his vision to life.

Today visitors come to appreciate this colossal man-made creation, learn about the design and construction process, appreciate its significance as a symbol of the American history of “monumental” leaders, and to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Black Hills region.

—Caroline Griffith

If You Go

Not everyone was pleased with the decision to carve four American presidents on a mountain that held spiritual significance for the Lakota tribe. In response, a memorial to Crazy Horse is being carved in the Black Hills 17 miles away from Mount Rushmore. Once completed the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the largest outdoor sculpture in the world. Visitors who get an early start can see both of these incredible sculptures in one day.

moru.jpg

State:

South Dakota

Acreage:

1,278.45

Category:

National Memorial

Established:

03/03/1925

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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

rach

January 27, 2012

the last time i was there i was 10 and im planing on going again on my honeymoon and the crazy horse was just starting i cant wait to see it finished

JJMV

January 24, 2012

NNNNNNNIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

l family

January 21, 2012

it was fantastic i want to see crazy horse next.

syxx fox

January 12, 2012

nice

yo mama

January 9, 2012

This place is cool

Anonymous

January 6, 2012

My wife and I are going to Mt. Rushmore this year for our 50 Anniversary

BooBoo

January 3, 2012

Awsome and cool at sunset

Anonymous

January 3, 2012

Cooool picture!!!!!!

BLAH!

December 23, 2011

AWESOME SCULPTURE!

hawxe nelson

December 21, 2011

there are a lot conspiracy theories about mount Rushmore out there but one of my favorites is the thought of that it was put where it is to insult the native people and their spiritually blessed land, i have talked to several native from the land in which it was was built upon. they are insulted by the fact that their ancestors had not agreed upon it. im Cherokee Indian and i believe that we're from here and if it's our land then we should at least have a say about what is built on our property

ang&mark

December 2, 2011

we went to mount rushmore for our honeymoon

[phil

November 30, 2011

don't yhou think the sculptor's name should be included in this discription?

cheeesey

November 26, 2011

once, i visited and my cousin fell off of one of the observation decks

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