Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, features the colossal 60-foot sculptures of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the sculpture, known as the Shrine of Democracy, represents the nation's birth, growth, development, and preservation. The memorial park spans 1,278 acres and attracts over two million visitors annually.
1915: Start of the Stone Mountain Project
The "Shrine to the Confederacy" project at Stone Mountain, Georgia began in 1915. This ambitious project to carve Confederate figures into the mountain served as the inspiration for Mount Rushmore.
1919: Peter Norbeck Establishes Custer State Park
Before becoming a key figure in the Mount Rushmore project, Peter Norbeck served as Governor of South Dakota. In 1919, he played a pivotal role in establishing Custer State Park, showcasing his dedication to the state's natural beauty.
1923: Doane Robinson Conceives Mount Rushmore
In 1923, Doane Robinson, known as the "Father of Mount Rushmore," envisioned a grand monument in the Black Hills to attract tourists to South Dakota. Inspired by the Stone Mountain project in Georgia, he sought to create a similar, but even more impressive, landmark.
August 20, 1924: Doane Robinson Reaches Out to Gutzon Borglum
Seeking a skilled sculptor for his ambitious project, Doane Robinson contacted Gutzon Borglum, who was already known for his work on the Stone Mountain Confederate memorial, on August 20, 1924, inviting him to assess the feasibility of carving in the Black Hills.
September 24, 1924: Gutzon Borglum Visits South Dakota
On September 24, 1924, Gutzon Borglum traveled to South Dakota to meet with Doane Robinson. Borglum was experiencing conflicts with the Stone Mountain project, making him receptive to Robinson's ambitious vision.
1924: Introduction of Mountain Goats
The mountain goats inhabiting the Mount Rushmore vicinity are not native to the area. They descended from a herd gifted to Custer State Park by Canada in 1924. These goats later escaped, establishing a presence near the memorial.
March 5, 1925: South Dakota Approves Mount Rushmore Project
After facing initial resistance, legislation authorizing the Mount Rushmore project was finally passed in South Dakota on March 5, 1925. Governor Gunderson's signature paved the way for the monumental endeavor to begin.
August 14, 1925: Borglum Chooses Mount Rushmore
While exploring potential sites for the sculpture in the Black Hills, Gutzon Borglum had a significant realization on August 14, 1925, atop Black Elk Peak. He then set his sights on Mount Rushmore as the location for the project, drawn to its grand scale and southeast-facing orientation.
August 1927: President Coolidge Promises Funding for Mount Rushmore
In August 1927, President Calvin Coolidge attended a dedication ceremony for Mount Rushmore. During the ceremony, he pledged federal funding for the project, providing crucial financial support for the ambitious endeavor.
October 4, 1927: Carving Begins on Mount Rushmore
On October 4, 1927, the task of carving the presidential figures into Mount Rushmore commenced. This marked the start of a labor-intensive process, utilizing dynamite and meticulous handwork.
1927: Construction Begins on Mount Rushmore
In 1927, the construction of Mount Rushmore began, marking the start of a monumental project to carve the faces of four prominent U.S. presidents into the granite mountain.
1927: Construction Begins on Mount Rushmore
In 1927, the construction of Mount Rushmore began, marking the start of a monumental project to carve the faces of four prominent U.S. presidents into the granite mountain.
1927: Construction Begins on Mount Rushmore
In 1927, the construction of Mount Rushmore began, marking the start of a monumental project to carve the faces of four prominent U.S. presidents into the granite mountain.
1929: Presidential Transition Delays Funding for Mount Rushmore
The change in presidency from Coolidge to Hoover in 1929 led to unforeseen delays in federal funding for Mount Rushmore. These delays highlighted the project's reliance on political support and the uncertainty it brought.
June 1930: Official Naming of Mount Rushmore
Though named after Charles E. Rushmore years prior, the name "Mount Rushmore" received official recognition from the United States Board of Geographic Names in June 1930.
1933: National Park Service Takes Over Mount Rushmore
In 1933, the management of Mount Rushmore was transferred to the National Park Service. This decision ensured the protection and maintenance of the monument for generations to come.
July 4, 1934: Dedication of George Washington on Mount Rushmore
The Fourth of July in 1934 marked a pivotal moment as the completed face of George Washington on Mount Rushmore was officially dedicated.
1934: Essay Contest for Entablature
A competition was held in 1934 to select a 500-word essay encapsulating the history of the United States.
1934: First Face Completed on Mount Rushmore
After years of work, the first presidential face, that of George Washington, was completed on Mount Rushmore in 1934, marking a significant milestone in the project.
1936: Dedication of Thomas Jefferson on Mount Rushmore
The year 1936 saw the dedication of Thomas Jefferson's completed face on Mount Rushmore, adding another layer of historical significance to the already impressive monument.
September 17, 1937: Dedication of Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore
On September 17, 1937, the meticulously carved face of Abraham Lincoln was unveiled on Mount Rushmore, further solidifying the monument's representation of American history.
1937: Proposal to Add Susan B. Anthony
A bill was introduced in Congress in 1937 to support the addition of women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony to Mount Rushmore, but the bill failed to pass.
1939: Completion of the Four Presidential Faces on Mount Rushmore
By 1939, the ambitious goal of carving the four presidential faces on Mount Rushmore was achieved. This marked a significant step towards the completion of the monument.
1939: Work Halted on Hall of Records
Gutzon Borglum's ambitious project, the Hall of Records, aimed to safeguard America's historical treasures. However, work on this grand chamber, which was carved 70 feet into the rock, was put on hold in 1939. The focus shifted to completing the presidential faces.
1939: Sculptor's Studio and Halt of Hall of Records
The Sculptor's Studio, showcasing models and tools from the sculpting process, was constructed in 1939. In the same year, work on the grand Hall of Records, intended to house historical documents, was halted to prioritize the completion of the presidential faces.
1939: Dedication of Theodore Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore
The final presidential face to grace Mount Rushmore, that of Theodore Roosevelt, was completed and dedicated in 1939. This marked the culmination of years of artistic vision and laborious effort.
1940: Start of Crazy Horse Memorial Construction
Construction on the Crazy Horse Memorial began in 1940 in the Black Hills. Intended to commemorate the Native American leader as a response to Mount Rushmore, the memorial has rejected federal funds and is supported by some Lakota chiefs, though it remains controversial.
March 1941: Death of Gutzon Borglum
Gutzon Borglum, the visionary sculptor behind Mount Rushmore, passed away in March 1941. His death was a significant loss to the project, which was then taken over by his son, Lincoln.
March 1941: Death of Gutzon Borglum
In March 1941, Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, passed away due to an embolism.
October 31, 1941: Construction Halted on Mount Rushmore
On October 31, 1941, construction on Mount Rushmore officially ended due to a lack of funding. This brought to a close years of work, leaving the sculpture incomplete compared to the original plans.
1941: Sculptors' Statement on Further Carvings
Upon the completion of Mount Rushmore in 1941, the sculptors stated that the remaining rock was not suitable for any further carvings.
1941: Completion of Mount Rushmore
After 14 years of challenging work, the Mount Rushmore sculpture was completed in 1941. However, it was not without its setbacks, as funding shortages meant the original vision of full-bodied figures was never realized.
1941: Completion of Mount Rushmore
After 14 years of challenging work, the Mount Rushmore sculpture was completed in 1941. However, it was not without its setbacks, as funding shortages meant the original vision of full-bodied figures was never realized.
August 11, 1952: Mount Rushmore Memorial Stamp Issued
On August 11, 1952, the U.S. Post Office issued a 3-cent commemorative stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
1957: Original Visitor Center Completion
The initial visitor center, designed by Harold Spitznagel and Cecil Doty, was finished in 1957 as part of the Mission 66 initiative to enhance visitor amenities in national parks.
1959: Final Chase Scene in North by Northwest
In 1959, Mount Rushmore was featured as the location of the final chase scene in the film North by Northwest. This scene helped cement the monument's place in popular culture.
1963: Proposal to Add John F. Kennedy
Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, there were proposals to add his likeness to Mount Rushmore.
October 15, 1966: National Register of Historic Places Listing
Mount Rushmore was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
1971: AIM Occupation and Mount Crazy Horse
In 1971, members of the American Indian Movement occupied Mount Rushmore, renaming it 'Mount Crazy Horse.' Lakota holy man John Fire Lame Deer planted a prayer staff on top of the mountain, symbolically shrouding the presidents' faces until treaties concerning the Black Hills were fulfilled.
1973: Placement of Winning Essay
The winning essay from the 1934 competition, written by Nebraska student William Andrew Burkett, was placed on a bronze plate on the Entablature in 1973.
January 2, 1974: Airmail Stamp Depicting Mount Rushmore Issued
On January 2, 1974, a 26-cent airmail stamp featuring Mount Rushmore was issued by the U.S. Post Office.
1980: Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Sioux Nation
In 1980, the US Supreme Court recognized the illegal seizure of the Black Hills, where Mount Rushmore is located, from the Sioux Nation. The court awarded the tribe over $100 million in compensation, but the Sioux continue to seek the return of their ancestral land.
1980: Supreme Court Decision on Sioux Nation Compensation
In 1980, the United States Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians that the Sioux had not received just compensation for their land in the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore. The court proposed $102 million as compensation.
1980: Superman II Villains Add Faces to Mount Rushmore
In the 1980 film Superman II, the villains add their faces to the Mount Rushmore monument, altering the iconic presidential faces.
1985: Proposal to Add Ronald Reagan
In 1985, proposals emerged suggesting the addition of President Ronald Reagan to Mount Rushmore.
1989: RESPEC's Assessment of Rock Stability
In 1989, RESPEC, an engineering firm, was tasked with evaluating the stability of the rock at Mount Rushmore. They concurred with the earlier assessment that further carving was not feasible.
1991: Official Dedication by President Bush
President George H. W. Bush presided over the official dedication ceremony of Mount Rushmore in 1991.
1991: Commemorative Coins Released
In 1991, the United States Mint released commemorative silver dollar, half-dollar, and five-dollar coins to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mount Rushmore's dedication.
1996: Face Replacement in Mars Attacks!
The 1996 film Mars Attacks! features a scene where villains replace the presidential faces on Mount Rushmore with their own.
1997: Terrorist Attacks in The Peacekeeper
In the 1997 film The Peacekeeper, Mount Rushmore is targeted in a terrorist attack.
1998: Completion of Extensive Visitor Facilities
A decade of redevelopment work at Mount Rushmore culminated in 1998 with the completion of extensive visitor facilities, including a new Visitor Center, the Lincoln Borglum Museum, and the Presidential Trail.
1998: Installation of Electronic Monitoring Devices
Advanced electronic monitoring devices were installed in 1998 to precisely track even the slightest movements in the sculpture's structure, ensuring its preservation.
1998: Fireworks Displays and Forest Fires
From 1998 to 2009, Independence Day fireworks displays were identified as the likely cause of at least 27 forest fires around Mount Rushmore.
1998: Completion of a Repository
In 1998, a repository was built within the cave's entrance, fulfilling part of Borglum's vision. It contains 16 enamel panels that narrate the story of Mount Rushmore and hold the texts of significant documents, echoing Borglum's aspiration.
1999: Renewed Proposal and Congressional Debate
The proposal to add Ronald Reagan to Mount Rushmore resurfaced in 1999, sparking debate in Congress.
2003: Newly Elected President's Face in Head of State
In the 2003 film Head of State, the newly elected president's face is added to Mount Rushmore.
2004: Secret Base in Team America: World Police
In 2004, Mount Rushmore was depicted as a secret base of operations for the protagonists in the film Team America: World Police.
2004: Appointment of Gerard Baker
Gerard Baker was appointed as the superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in 2004, making him the first Native American to hold this position.
2005: Free Cleanup Operation
Alfred Kärcher, a German cleaning equipment manufacturer, conducted a free cleaning operation at Mount Rushmore in 2005. They used pressurized, heated water to remove accumulated dirt and grime.
2006: South Dakota State Quarter Released
In 2006, the United States Mint issued the South Dakota state quarter, featuring Mount Rushmore as the main subject.
2006: Natural Disasters in 10.5: Apocalypse
The 2006 miniseries 10.5: Apocalypse includes scenes of natural disasters affecting Mount Rushmore.
2007: Secret Underground City in National Treasure: Book of Secrets
In 2007, the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets portrayed Mount Rushmore as the location of the secret underground city of Cíbola.
2008: Barack Obama's Humorous Response
When asked about the possibility of his own image being added to Mount Rushmore in 2008, Barack Obama lightheartedly remarked that his ears were too large.
2009: End of Fireworks Displays
Due to environmental concerns and fire risks, Independence Day fireworks displays at Mount Rushmore were discontinued after 2009.
2009: Digital Recording for Conservation
In 2009, as part of the Scottish Ten project, Mount Rushmore was digitally mapped using terrestrial laser scanning. This created a highly detailed 3D record, invaluable for its long-term conservation and accessible online.
2010: Michael Daugherty's 'Mount Rushmore' Composition
In 2010, American composer Michael Daugherty created a piece for chorus and orchestra titled 'Mount Rushmore,' depicting each of the four presidents in separate movements and setting texts by historical figures.
2011: Black Hills Compensation Valued at $1.3 Billion
By 2011, the compensation proposed by the 1980 Supreme Court decision for the loss of the Black Hills was valued at $1.3 billion.
2012: Tourism Statistics
In 2012, Mount Rushmore National Memorial welcomed 2,185,447 visitors, highlighting its significant contribution to South Dakota's tourism industry.
2013: Criticism in Nebraska
The 2013 film Nebraska presents an atypical representation of Mount Rushmore, criticizing it for being unfinished.
2016: USGS Investigation and Perchlorate Findings
A 2016 investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey revealed unusually high perchlorate levels in the surface and groundwater near Mount Rushmore. The study linked this contamination to past fireworks displays.
2017: Donald Trump's Comment at Ohio Rally
During a rally in Ohio in 2017, Donald Trump jokingly remarked about the possibility of his image being on Mount Rushmore, acknowledging that the media would likely take his comment seriously.
2018: Kristi Noem's Remark
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, in 2018, referred to the idea of adding Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore as Trump's "dream".
November 2019: Passing of Nick Clifford
In November 2019, Nick Clifford, the last surviving carver who worked on Mount Rushmore, died at the age of 98.
2020: Nick Tilsen's Refusal of Compensation
In 2020, Oglala Lakota Nation citizen and Indigenous activist Nick Tilsen explained that his people would not accept a settlement for the Black Hills, as they sought the full return of their lands as stipulated by treaties.
2021: Nearly $2 Billion Compensation for Black Hills
In 2021, the compensation for the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore, had accumulated interest and was valued at nearly $2 billion.
2023: Present Day Value of Mount Rushmore
As of 2023, the total cost of the Mount Rushmore project is equivalent to $20.5 million.