Mount Rushmore, located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, is an iconic national memorial that features the 60-foot heads of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This colossal sculpture was designed by Gutzon Borglum and took 14 years to complete, from 1927 to 1941.
The choice of these four presidents was symbolic. George Washington represents the birth of the United States, Thomas Jefferson symbolizes the expansion through the Louisiana Purchase, Theodore Roosevelt stands for the development and conservation efforts, and Abraham Lincoln embodies the preservation of the nation during the Civil War.
Mount Rushmore's granite faces are carved into a mountain known to the Lakota Sioux as the "Six Grandfathers." This area is considered sacred by the indigenous tribes, and its transformation into a national monument has been a source of controversy and protest.
The original concept by Doane Robinson, known as the "Father of Mount Rushmore," was to promote tourism in South Dakota. He initially envisioned western heroes such as Lewis and Clark, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Oglala Lakota chief Red Cloud. However, Gutzon Borglum had a broader vision and chose the presidents to give the monument a more national significance.
During the construction, over 400 workers helped carve the presidents' faces. Remarkably, there were no fatalities, although the work was dangerous, involving dynamite and intricate drilling. Each face took about 6-7 years to complete, with Jefferson initially being started on Washington's right side before being moved to the left due to poor rock quality.
A lesser-known fact is the existence of a hidden Hall of Records behind Lincoln's head. Borglum intended this hall to house important documents and artifacts significant to American history. Although it remains unfinished, it contains a vault with porcelain panels explaining the monument's purpose and history.
Mount Rushmore is not only a symbol of American history but also a testament to the artistic and engineering prowess of the early 20th century. It attracts over two million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.