Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_rushmore.jpg
Author: Larry Jogerst


Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the famous sculpture of four US presidents on Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Created between 1934 and 1939, it depicted, from left to right, Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The face of each president measures about 60 ft (18 m) in height.

Close-up of Theodore Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MtRushmore_TR_close.jpg
Author: Scott Catron


Mount Rushmore National Memorial was the work of sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln Borglum, who carried on the work after Gutzon died of embolism in March, 1941. The entire project cost $989,992.32. It was originally planned to depict the four figures down to the waist, but due to insufficient funds, the carving could only be completed of the faces. In 1941, the project is deemed to have been completed.

Mount Rushmore was named after Charles E. Rushmore, a prominent lawyer from New York, in 1885. Before that, it was known as Six Grandfathers. The initial idea of creating the sculptors was attributed to historian Doane Robinson in 1923, with the purpose of fueling tourism into the area. The site was chosen by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, taking into account the grandeur of the mountain, and the would-be location of the sculptures facing the southeast, giving it good lighting from the sun.

Today Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the top tourist attraction in South Dakota, attracting some two million visitors annually. The site is particularly crowded during the Rushmore Music Camp and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 15 October, 1966.

Visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota

The national memorial is located along State Route 244 near Keystone, South Dakota. Rapid City is the nearest major city 35 miles away. From there, take US Highway 16 to Keystone, and the turn off to Route 244. Expect some waiting as cars build up to enter the parking area, especially from June to August.

Entrance to Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MtRushmoreEnter.jpg
Author: Scott Catron

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