South Dakota has numerous and notable monuments, but none are as famous or popular as the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. A massive sculpture that has been carved into the granite face of a mountain, Mount Rushmore represents the first 150 years of the history of the United States and attracts more than two million visitors to the region.
In becoming such a notable landmark for South Dakota that has simultaneously become a symbol for the United States of America, Mount Rushmore showcases the power a monument can have when it comes to transforming the culture and economy of not only a region but also an entire country.
Promoting Tourism in South Dakota
Historian Doane Robinson conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore in 1923 to promote tourism in South Dakota. In August of 1924, he contacted Gutzon Borglum who was working at Stone Mountain, Georgia, on the face of Robert E. Lee. While the original idea was to create the sculptures in the Needles of the Black Hills of South Dakota, the team settled on Mount Rushmore (known to the Lakota Sioux as “The Six Grandfathers” or “Cougar Mountain”) instead, which had better rock and also has the advantage of facing southeast for maximum sun exposure.
Numerous people were involved with securing the funds and permission to carve the 60-foot sculptures of the heads of former U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. While Robinson originally wanted it to feature American West heroes, these four presidents were eventually chosen to have broader appeal. They represent the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation, respectively.
The presidents’ faces were completed between 1934 and 1939. Originally, it was planned that the figures would be carved from head to waist but insufficient funding forced the carving to end in 1941. The carving of Mount Rushmore involved the use of dynamite, although dynamite was used until only three to six inches of rock was left to remove. At that 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, oftentimes need to be done so by hand.
Referred to by some as the “shrine of democracy,” Mount Rushmore has had such a notable impact on the region and nation not just because of the monumental sculpture itself but also because of the variety of experiences that have been enabled for visitors that come in from all across the world.
Experiences, Exploration and Photos from Every Angle
Open year-round and located near numerous hotels and campgrounds, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial includes a half-mile walking trail, museum, gift shop and dining room. At the Information Center visitors can find information about the daily schedule, and park rangers inside can answer questions. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center houses two theaters, a museum and a Mount Rushmore Bookstore. The film, “Mount Rushmore, The Shrine,” is shown every 20 minutes in each theater. The museum exhibits tell the story of Borglum and the creation of Mount Rushmore.
Each evening, May through September, a ceremony is held in the park’s outdoor Amphitheater. It highlights the making of this national monument with a video, flag-lowering ceremony, a salute to veterans and lighting of the memorial. Ranger Talks, Evening Programs, Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village Tours, Youth Exploration Area Tours and Audio Tours are also available for visitors.
Constructed in 1939, the Sculptor’s Studio is where Guzton Borglum worked from 1939 to 1941. It displays plaster models of the monument that are 1/12th the scale model of Mount Rushmore. During the summer months, rangers present 15-minute talks here focusing on the workers who helped Borglum create Mount Rushmore and the tools and techniques they used.
All of these experiences are in addition to the numerous places and ways that visitors can explore the natural surroundings to take photos of Mount Rushmore from every angle. These experiences and engagements have directly enabled the economic and cultural impact of the monument.
The Cultural and Economic Impact of Being South Dakota’s Top Attraction
Tourism has become South Dakota’s second-largest industry, while Mount Rushmore is the state’s top tourist attraction. The cities and areas surrounding Mount Rushmore have been able to survive and thrive thanks to the crowds that are constantly on their way into our out of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In doing so, Mount Rushmore has indirectly driven the economic activity of a whole portion of the state.
This flow of people into the region has allowed many residents to create their own unique experiences and opportunities designed to appeal to many of these visitors. Mount Rushmore is featured in countless maps and brochures that highlight the monument but also expose audiences to the variety of other options that are available to them. Attractions like Wall Drug exist on account of the popularity of Mount Rushmore, while landmarks like the Crazy Horse Memorial provide audiences with a completely different perspective around the history and culture of the area.
In terms of the direct economic impact Mount Rushmore has created, there is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore National Memorial. However, fees are required to park at the memorial. Additionally, there are a variety of options when it comes to food and souvenirs that are available for purchase. These range from books to mugs to commemorative coins.
Tax-deductible gifts, as well as private donations, can be made to Mount Rushmore. They all help to preserve the various natural and cultural resources, maintain trails, and provide brochures and interpretive programs each year. Donations may be dedicated to enhancing specific activities, such as visitor services, educational programs, maintenance, research, or scientific study.
Showcasing the official recognition that monuments like Mount Rushmore can attain, on October 15, 1966, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush officially dedicated Mount Rushmore and spoke of the monument being in communion with the very soul of America.
That level of significance underscores the kind of impact a monument can have on the culture and economy of a state and entire country. In doing so, Mount Rushmore has created a legacy that will continue to enable a positive impact for South Dakota as well as for the United States of America.
An Icon for America
Certain monuments have become known and specifically identified with their city, but few are synonymous with an entire nation. Mount Rushmore is widely recognized as an icon for America while attracting audiences by the thousands ever since it was opened. In doing so, it has become a boon for tourism and creativity as well as a symbol of freedom and hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds, further highlighting the kind of wide-ranging legacy that monuments can enable.
