Mount Rushmore National Memorial
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a monumental sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created between 1927 and 1941 under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum and later his son Lincoln Borglum, the memorial features 60-foot tall heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These presidents were selected to represent the nation's foundation, expansion, development, and preservation. The monument is set on a mountain facing southeast to maximize sun exposure and covers a memorial park of 1,278 acres. It attracts over two million visitors annually. The site is also significant for its location on land sacred to the Lakota Sioux and other Plains tribes, originally called "Six Grandfathers." The memorial's creation was funded federally and initiated by South Dakota's state historian, Doane Robinson, who originally envisioned regional heroes but was persuaded to depict national figures. Despite its grandeur, the monument remains controversial due to the land's history and ongoing disputes with the Sioux Nation. Today, Mount Rushmore stands as a symbol of American heritage and democracy, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Black Hills.
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Tipp: Visit during the spring to early fall for the best weather and full accessibility. Purchase tickets or register for special events like the Independence Day celebration in advance, as reservations are required. Parking is available but can fill up quickly during peak seasons. Note that pets are only allowed in parking areas and adjacent zones. Accessibility services are provided for visitors with disabilities. Check the official website for current conditions and any alerts before your visit.
Interessante Fakten
- •The four presidents carved are each 60 feet tall, roughly the height of a six-story building.
- •Mount Rushmore faces southeast to maximize sunlight exposure on the sculptures.
- •The original plan included full-body carvings from head to waist, but funding shortages limited the work to heads only.
- •The mountain was originally called "Six Grandfathers" by the Lakota Sioux, symbolizing spiritual directions.
- •More than two million visitors come to Mount Rushmore annually, making it one of the most visited memorials in the U.S.
Geschichte
Mount Rushmore was originally known as "Six Grandfathers" by the Lakota Sioux and other Plains tribes, who revered the mountain as sacred.
The Black Hills, including this mountain, were guaranteed to the Sioux in the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie but were seized by the U.S.
government after gold was discovered in the 1870s.
The mountain was renamed after Charles E.
Rushmore, a New York attorney who visited the area in the 1880s.
The idea for the monument was proposed in 1923 by Doane Robinson to promote tourism, with sculptor Gutzon Borglum overseeing its construction from 1927 until his death in 1941.
The project was federally funded and completed by his son Lincoln Borglum.
The carving stopped in 1941 due to funding limitations, leaving only the presidents' heads fully sculpted.
The land dispute with the Sioux continues, with the U.S.
Supreme Court ruling in 1980 that compensation was due, which the Sioux have refused, demanding the land's return instead.
Ortsführer
George Washington's Sculpture1927-1934
The first president of the United States, symbolizing the nation's foundation. His face is the most prominent and detailed, with some carving extending below the chin.
Thomas Jefferson's Sculpture1936-1937
The third president, representing the expansion of the United States. His face was carved after Washington's and is positioned to the left.
Theodore Roosevelt's Sculpture1937-1939
The 26th president, symbolizing the development of the nation. His face is smaller and located between Washington and Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln's Sculpture1937-1939
The 16th president, representing preservation of the nation during the Civil War. His face is the last completed and positioned on the right.
Kontakt
Telefon: (605) 574-2523
