Mount Rushmore during sunset, a shot of the great monument with fading sunlight behind the Black Hills. The 60-foot (18 m) sculpted heads are of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Photo #1 by Chaitanya Polumetla
Air Force One flying over Mount Rushmore. The entire memorial is spread out over 1,278.45 acres (5.17 km2). Photo #2 by U.S. Air Force
Every year, about 3 million visitors come through this entrance to view the presidents which were sculpted by Danish-American Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum. Wikipedia states, “Construction on the memorial began in 1927, and the presidents’ faces were completed between 1934 and 1939. Upon Gutzon Borglum’s death in March 1941, his son Lincoln Borglum took over construction. Although the initial concept called for each president to be depicted from head to waist, lack of funding forced construction to end in late October 1941.” Photo #3 by Scott Catron
Roosevelt and Lincoln – Mt Rushmore. Photo #4 by Stewart Baird
It took 400 workers 14 years to carve out our Founding Fathers. Photo #5 by Zach Dischner
Mt. Rushmore at Night. The NPS evening lighting schedule varies throughout the year, but during the main season, NPS said from mid-May to mid-August, the sculptures are lit up at 9:00 p.m. nightly. The evening lighting starts at 8:00 p.m. from mid-August through September. Photo #6 by Dhaval Shreyas
1932 picture of construction at Mount Rushmore of George Washington’s likeness. Amazingly, even with 400 workers and hanging by harnesses, there were no fatalities during construction. Photo #7 by Rise Studio, Rapid City, S. Dak
Two F/A-18E Super Hornets conduct a fly by of Mount Rushmore during a recent training exercise. U.S. Navy Photo #8 by Lt. Anthony Dobson
Mount Rushmore National Memorial. NPS wrote, “The figure of Thomas Jefferson was originally started on Washington’s right side. After 18 months of carving the figure of Jefferson had to be blasted off the mountain and restarted on Washington’s left side.” Photo #9 by Jim Bowen from Hope Mills NC, US
Mount Rushmore HDR. This project to carve the Presidents into Rushmore was first started to increase tourism in the Black Hills region of South Dakota and is now the top tourist location in the state. Photo #10 by Mike Tigas from Spokane, WA, United States
Fireworks detonate above the National Memorial in South Dakota. USAF Photo #11 by Senior Airman Marc I. Lane
Screenshot from trailer for North by Northwest: It is a 1959 MGM thriller by Alfred Hitchcock. The film stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Leo G. Carroll, and Martin Landau. “Scriptwriter Ernest Lehman recalled that in the course of screenwriting, Hitchcock murmured wistfully, ‘I always wanted to do a chase across the faces of Mount Rushmore.’ The scene was not actually filmed at the monument, since permission to shoot an attempted killing on the face of a national monument was refused by the National Park Service.” Mt. Rushmore has been used in other movies such as National Treasure: Book of Secrets in which “the monument was constructed to hide the City of Gold.” Photo #12 by Petrusbarbygere
George Washington Profile closeup. Presidents Day is celebrated in honor of Washington’s birthday. When George Washington was leading the troops so America could be free of Britain’s control, he said, “The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.” Photo #13 by Ed Menard Ranger / NPS
Mt Rushmore seen from one of the tunnels on highway 16A. Photo #14 by Kimon Berlin
Mount Rushmore in the fog. This mountain was “originally known to the Lakota Sioux as Six Grandfathers, the mountain was renamed after Charles E. Rushmore, a prominent New York lawyer, during an expedition in 1885.” But “as Six Grandfathers, the mountain was part of the route that Lakota leader Black Elk took in a spiritual journey that culminated at Harney Peak.” So “Mount Rushmore is controversial among Native Americans because the United States seized the area from the Lakota tribe after the Great Sioux War of 1876. The Treaty of Fort Laramie from 1868 had previously granted the Black Hills to the Lakota in perpetuity. Members of the American Indian Movement led an occupation of the monument in 1971, naming it ‘Mount Crazy Horse’.” However, “the Crazy Horse Memorial is being constructed elsewhere in the Black Hills to commemorate the famous Native American leader and as a response to Mount Rushmore.” Photo #15 by Ed Menard Ranger / NPS
Mount Rushmore in the snow. In the off-season, there is still an evening lighting ceremony: “Sculpture illuminated nightly for one hour, approximately 30 minutes after sunset.” Photo #16 by Ed Menard Ranger / NPS
Mount Rushmore National Park ranger with Washington and Jefferson. Photo #17 by NPS
View of Abraham Lincoln from on top of Mt. Rushmore. On November 19, 1863, during the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln said, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Photo #18 by Rachel.miller727
MORU Hall of records, according to NPS, “Artist Gutzon Borglum envisioned a Hall of Records behind the sculpture that was never completed. The Hall of Records and the mountain are inaccessible to the public.” Photo #19 by NPS / Amy Bracewell
Interior Hall of Records. NPS Did You Know states, “A man-made opening called the Hall of Records was created in the mountain behind the heads on Mount Rushmore. Gutzon Borglum and his carvers worked on the Hall of Records from July, 1938, until July, 1939, but it was never finished.” Photo #20 by NPS / Amy Bracewell
MORU Hall of Records “repository was intended to tell the story of Mount Rushmore and of the United States . After the United States Congress threatened to cut off all funding for the project unless used specifically to finish the sculpture itself, Borglum reluctantly stopped work on the hall in 1939.” Photo #21 by NPS / Amy Bracewell
Roosevelt closeup from above. “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are,” said Roosevelt. He also said, “I have always been fond of the West African proverb ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far’.” Photo #22 by NPS Digital Image Archives
Winch and equipment in Lincoln Borglum Museum. NPS explains the carving history: “Mount Rushmore is a project of colossal proportion, colossal ambition and colossal achievement. It involved the efforts of nearly 400 men and women. The duties involved varied greatly from the call boy to drillers to the blacksmith to the housekeepers. Some of the workers at Mount Rushmore were interviewed, and were asked, ‘What is it you do here?’ One of the workers responded and said, ‘I run a jackhammer.’ Another worker responded to the same question, ‘I earn $8.00 a day.’ However, a third worker said, ‘I am helping to create a memorial.’ The third worker had an idea of what they were trying to accomplish.” Photo #23 by Ed Menard / NPS
Charles D’Emery documented the carving of Mount Rushmore for 14 years. Photo #24 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Mt Rushmore detail of Abraham Lincoln’s face. CyArk states, “Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, held the nation together during its greatest trial, the Civil War. Lincoln believed his most sacred duty was the preservation of the union. It was his firm conviction that slavery must be abolished (1809-1865).” Photo #25 by CyArk / Kacyra Family Foundation / NPS
Mt. Rushmore, up-close view of Thomas Jefferson. CyArk site states, “Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, was the author of the Declaration of Independence, a document which inspires democracies around the world. He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 which doubled the size of our country, adding all or part of fifteen present-day states (1743-1826).” A Jefferson quote: “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” Photo #26 by CyArk / Kacyra Family Foundation / NPS
Mt Rushmore detail on Theodore Roosevelt’s face. CyArk wrote, “Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, provided leadership when America experienced rapid economic growth as it entered the 20th Century. He was instrumental in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, linking the east and the west. He was known as the ‘trust buster’ for his work to end large corporate monopolies and ensure the rights of the common working man (1858-1919).” Photo #27 by CyArk / Kacyra Family Foundation / NPS
Mount Rushmore National Memorial working on Jefferson, photo by Charles D’Emery. More from NPS about the carving history: “The workers had to endure conditions that varied from blazing hot to bitter cold and windy. Each day they climbed 700 stairs to the top of the mountain to punch-in on the time clock. Then 3/8 inch thick steel cables lowered them over the front of the 500 foot face of the mountain in a ‘bosun chair’. Some of the workers admitted being uneasy with heights, but during the Depression, any job was a good job.” Photo #28 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Mount Rushmore, hanging in the sky, working on an eye. Not a single man or woman died during the 14 years of blasting and carving to create the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Photo #29 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
NPS said, “Over 90% of Mount Rushmore was carved using dynamite. Dynamite blasts removed approximately 450,000 tons of rock from the mountain.” This historic D’Emery photo is of early construction work on the Lincoln sculpture, showing dust from the dynamite blasts. NPS also wrote, “Dynamite was used until only three to six inches of rock was left to remove to get to the final carving surface. At this point, the drillers and assistant carvers would drill holes into the granite very close together. This was called honeycombing. The closely drilled holes would weaken the granite so it could be removed often by hand.” Photo #30 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Mount Rushmore construction workers hanging by cables. Photo #31 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Mount Rushmore and brave workers. Photo #32 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Construction of Mount Rushmore National Monument (MORU). Photo #33 by Charles D’Emery / NPS
Colossal granite heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are not eroding “since the estimated erosion rate is 1 inch every 10,000 years.” Photo #34 by National Park Service Digital Image Archives
I feel the shots of Mt. Rushmore are some of the most informative and beautiful shots I have ever seen. The information included with the shots of Mt. Rushmore.The information about all the work done and the individual info about each president is very intense and informative.
It is hard to believe that most of rock was set up using dynamite.
Really, this is a living memorial to those men of vision and courage who, by their efforts, built
a new form of government in this world that was the envy of the all people, everywhere. We, Americans, make a mockery of that institution as we allow special interest groups to define and
dictate what we think, in political correctness turning us into spineless, mealy-mouthed cowards
in self-serving, selfish abdicatiion of the God given authority to order our own lives, by our own efforts. God, help us stand up and reposses our possessions.
[...] ΠΗΓΗ [...]
By blasting method we can make sculpture, it is really amazing.
While I appreciated the talent that went into the making of the sculpture, I must say that it is a huge and unnecessary piece of graffiti which will forever mare the landscape.
By the way, only two of the men portrayed there were founding fathers.
You’re not only a fool, but you need to learn to spell. I don’t believe the landscape is hurt by “a female horse”!!
Hey DICK, rather than insult me and grade my typographical errors, why not put forth a legitimate argument or opinion?
The funding from Congress for Mt. Rushmore was as idiotic then as some of the programs that are funded by the same type of idiots in Congress today. Not only do I believe it was, and continues to be, a waste of money, it is also a ugly scar on the more beautiful natural landscape.
I will only agree with you on the do-nothing Congress we now have. The original government contribution to this project was a $250,000 matching grant from South Dakota. Can you even fathom the number of people who feed their families and pay taxes from occupations related to the monument. The amount of money those people pay into federal taxes far exceeds the government contribution. The total cost of this project was $989,992.32 Our blood-suckers spend that in a minute, today. For disabled combat veterans like myself, the monument is a source of pride for what we placed our lives in jeopardy to defend. We did so, so that people like you have the freedom to post just about any statement you wish. Finally, it takes about 10 seconds to proofread your posts.
Your service is appreciated. It does not however diminish the fact the funds allocated to the project could have been spent on more worthy causes rather than defacing the landscape. Rationalizing the paying of taxes and feeding of families from such an endeavor is a weak argument. That’s like saying planned parenthood (govt. funded) and it’s activities is a good thing because it employs thousands of people. It’s akin to members of Congress justifying their bloated staffs by telling the public that the staffer’s families are feed. We can play the funding/spending game all day.
Understanding the difference in standards of the different eras, can you imaging, today, erecting a gaudy statue on the wall of the Grand Canyon or on Stony Man in the Shenandoah National Park? Surely you have a place you hold dear to your heart where you find peace and quiet, where you find refuge and solace. Imagine it gone or somehow destroyed.
You and I will not agree on the need for or purpose of Mt. Rushmore. It seems we agree that the government wastes money. To me, Rushmore is one example.
I’m done, thanks for the discussion.
My final comment would be this: are you perfect? Have you ever driven or ridden in a car? Think about it, at one time those areas covered by those roads were as pristine as the Black Hills area you’re concerned about, and they meant just as much to someone as that “place you hold dear in your heart”.
And the extravagent vacations by the obummers are financed by whom?
Most of the funds were from contributions!
You just got to be a liberal. Its art in it finest and will remain so for eternity
Good answer, to a stupid remark!
You are a fool, have no sense of patriotism and a wanna be know-it-all.
Why not just move out of the U.S., give us all a chance to enjoy this wondrous marvel?
It’s difficult to be leitimate with a liberal like you TK!
I’e been there & really enjoyed my visit there
I always wondered why these 4 Presidents and with a lot of reading found my answer. Washington for freedom, Jefferson for the law and doubling the size, Lincoln for holding the North and South together to preserve a United States and T. Roosevelt for helping preserve some of the land for the people with National Parks.
Thanks for providing that insight into the reasoning for including these four men. My wife and I were there 2 years ago and were quite impressed with the scale and artistry.
For others that plan to visit please add the Chief Crazy Horse memorial to your tour. It started construction in 1948 and isn’t expected to be finished for a long time.
This is surely will be included in the list of wonders of the world
Have been to Mt. Rushmore and the Black H ills area many times and can say that while the pictures are excellent, you really have to see it in person. Makes me proud to say I’m from South Dakota.
[...] Carved by Dynamite, Massive Founding Fathers at Mt. Rushmore [34 PICS] [...]
New Hampshire lost its wonderful ” Old Man in the Mountain ” as the stone just gave way. I feel it would be appropriate to ban and aircraft flights near Mt. Rushmore that any vibrations caused by jet exhaust not have any possible damaging effect on this wonderful sculpture. Wisdom will preserve this artifact, lack of concern will lead to its ruin. There is a choice – lets take the wise one !
The old man in the moutain in New Hampshire was NOT a carving such as Mt. Rushmore. It was a natural rock formation that happened to look like an old man.
This is a testament to the men who actually thought about their people and the future of the country before themselves. Now all Washington thinks about is money in their own pockets. We all need to go back to the Constitution and the Bible.
I have been to Mt. Rushmore twice, and it is totally breathtaking.
Great pictures! Mount Rushmore is one of the places I have always wanted to visit and is on my list if places to see before I die. The arguing above as to the validity of spending the money for this was ridiculous. This is preserving for us and a reminder of the history of this country. As a veteran and “natural born” American, I hold all our national monuments as sacred places to remind us from which we have come! We in the United States seem to have forgotten where we came from and what it took to get where we are. We are too busy looking for handouts instead of working to get what we want and to put God and Country ahead of ourselves.
What a wonderful tribute to the men who believed in “We The People” and who helped to build the foundation of America and the freedom’s we have enjoyed.
An Importent reminder to all Citizens of this great Country of the leadership and intregrety of our forefathers
I appreciate the history and information given above. I have been to Rushmore. It is a work of wonder and awe. Anyone who does not appreciate this beauty cannot be a TRUE AMERICAN. These are the men who formulated this FREE COUNTRY WE LIVE IN TODAY. GOD BLESS AMERICA
this is another why people should visit only in the USA. The National Parks are all beautiful. I do volunteer work in the parks.
I have visited this wonderful monument to those great men who founded, developed and maintained our great country a number of times since 1952. None of those experiences were as emotionally moving as the memorial service of 9-11-2002; there was not a dry eye to be seen. That experience would have impressed anyone, even TKH.
I’m not sure how anyone could refer to Mt. Rushmore as graffiti, a huge scar on our landscape or a total waste of money. If you’ve ever been there it is awe inspiring and unless you are a mis-placed American, it is impossible for me to understand how you could not burst with pride for these men and what they did to shape our wonderful country. Shame on you for minimizing the importance of this act of love for our country. I agree that money is squandered shamelessly by Congress, but this money was wonderfully spent and will identify the United States for generations.
I was afraid part of the photos were men hauling coal up to carve #44, whew! I flew a Citabria close enough to see the pupil of Lincolns eye, NPS hasn’t called yet. Too bad the current White House doesn’t reflect what our fore fathers longed for and so many soldiers died for. “GOD BLESS AMERICA”.
I have a great idea for a needed public works project which could help to put returning war veterans to work. Lets get rid of the scree/rocky debris at the base of this amazing monument. I’m a clean-freak!
A Jefferson quote: “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” most appropriate for what is happening to our country right this second. we are losing our freedoms & i truly hope these 4 presidents cannot see what is going on
Excellent pictures, and the information on each photo is greatly appreciated! I’ve never visited Mt. Rushmore, but I admire the many, many men who did such a superb job carving it. I am also thankful that there were no fatalities during its construction. I just wonder how long it will be before our CURRENT president will want his face put up there too! LOL!
Right! How about next to the trash cans!
… Or into the urinals in the tourist center?
My apologies to those who voted for him, but I cannot find even ONE good thing he has ever done for our country.
I have lived in Rapid City for 34 years. On a clear night I can see Mt. Rushmore glowing in the distance. It is. Such an honor to have something go grand in your back yard.
Have been to Mt Rushmore twice. It is beautiful and brings tears to eyes who are patriotic! It is a work of fantastic art! Hope it last forever . Visit South Dakota and Rushmore—you won’t be sorry!
HAVE BEEN THERE THREE TIMES…LOVED IT.IF YOU GO DON’T FORGET “CHEIF CRAZY HORSE” CARVING DOWN THE ROAD.
As an Englishman, who’s interest in all things America came from listening to Alistair Cooke on the BBC for many years, I never tire of seeing images like this.
I will never be able to visit America. I envy those that can and do, not to mention those of you who have seen this great monument.
Four of this nations founding fathers, set in a granite every bit as solid and unbreakable as the spirit that built this country.
God bless America!
God bless you too, Nigel!! ♥
A previous writer stated that he had flown a Citabria close enough to Lincoln’s eye to see the pupil. I once flew a Piper Cherokee close enough to view the grandeur of the Mt. Rushmore carvings, but not anywhere as close as the other fellow. It was still pretty amazing to see it from the air. I also have seen it from the ground, and the drive I took to get there was through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Of course, all this was back in the sixties, and so the Crazy Horse sculpture hadn’t yet been done. I would like to go back and see that. It is quite amazing how some gifted people can look at a rock and see some entity inside just waiting to be released with a hammer and chisel. If you can manage to go, Mt. Rushmore is definitely worth the trip.
I really envy you, Jack. It must have been a very moving experience! If I had the money, and actually LIKED to travel far from home, this would be one of my destinations for sure. I have a fear of heights that is crippling, and get a gripping anxiety of being too far from home, plus memories of being forced to sit hour after hour after hour, day after day living out of a suitcase when I was a kid in the back seat of our family car on vacations. It was no fun for me at all.
Great Pictures! I’ve visited twice. What a wonderful sight/site. Only three million visitors a year seems ashame that’s all who visit?. SD is a fantastic state. Cheers Nigel…liked your post.
How come all I hear is how this great monument is eroding?
I can close my eyes are remember the first time I witnessed Mount Rushmore. My husband and I had been driving into the wee early morning hours. Somewhere up in the hills – (I had no idea where we were) – he rounded a corner and the roadway suddenly became somewhat straight. Directly in front of us – looming in the stark glare of the full moon’s light – a glorious face! It was just unreal. There – almost like a religious experience – was the profile of the great GEORGE WASHINGTON.
It was so beautiful – we just stopped the car and I cried. We were experiencing the most majestic moment! Decades have passed and we still talk of what a perfect evening that was…
The following day, as we were touring the park grounds, artist’s studio and admiring the gigantic relief sculptures on the side of the granite mountain, the local S.D. / Public TV station asked to interview me. It was very pleasing to have the opportunity to express how beloved the faces, the men and their deeds were — and therefore, how treasured Mount Rushmore was too.
The photos here on this site are outstanding.
I think it was the Lacota of the northern plains who thought the mountain housed the spirits of their ancestors. Instead the mountain was blasted and scraped until it resembled some of our past, dead political heros… not very personal… not too inspiring without nationalistic zeal. I am proud of much of my American heritage, but I can do without the iconic destructiveness.