What Is Mount Rushmore National Memorial?
Mount Rushmore is a big rock sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota, near Keystone, USA. The Mount Rushmore memorial is centered on a giant sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore. It’s the faces of four US presidents carved right into the mountain! The presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
George's face is special because he represents the birth of the nation. Together, these presidents tell the story of America’s beginning, growth, and strength. People call Mount Rushmore the “Shrine of Democracy” because it represents the country’s history and freedom. Each face is 60 feet tall – that’s as tall as a 6-story building! Over a million people visit this giant slab of carved granite every year. Ever wondered who the first face on Mount Rushmore is or if there’s a secret fifth face? Let’s find out!
By the way, before it was officially named, locals used to call the mountain the “damn thing Rushmore” and it was eventually named after New York attorney Charles E. Rushmore.
Where Is Mount Rushmore?
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is hidden in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, just outside the small town of Keystone. This national park is managed by the National Park Service, so it’s easy to visit with your family. The Black Hills are a special place with forests, wildlife, and rock formations.
The mountain itself is made of fine-grained granite, which is super tough and perfect for a big sculpture like Mount Rushmore. Because the granite is so tough, the presidents’ faces have stayed sharp and clear for many years. Mount Rushmore is high up, 5,725 feet above sea level! Its southeast-facing side means the sun shines on the faces most of the day, so they’re easy to see and photograph. When you visit the Rushmore National Memorial, you’ll be standing in a place where nature and history come together in a big way.
Who Are the Four Faces on Mount Rushmore, Including George Washington?
The four faces on Mount Rushmore are like a superhero team of presidents in stone mountain. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial was originally called ‘Shrine of Democracy’ by its sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. The monument was supposed to be more than just heads, but plans changed due to funding and technical issues. The presidents chosen for the monument represent important events in American history.
First face: George Washington
He was the first president of the United States and started the country. George's face is the largest on the monument, symbolizing leadership and the founding of the nation. Fun fact: George Washington’s nose was made extra large, Borglum added up to 2 feet, to make sure it would be visible and proportionate over time. He’s the leader, like Captain America!
Second face: Thomas Jefferson
He wrote the Declaration of Independence and bought new land called the Louisiana Territory. Thomas Jefferson’s face was moved during construction because the rock where the original carving of Mount Rushmore started was unsuitable.
Third face: Theodore Roosevelt
He loved nature and built the Panama Canal, which made traveling easier. Borglum chose Roosevelt for his conservation efforts and his role in the Panama Canal. Roosevelt also represents economic development, especially for his role in building the Panama Canal, and is depicted as commander-in-chief.
Fourth face: Abraham Lincoln
He kept the country together during the Civil War and ended slavery. Abraham Lincoln’s face represents unity and preservation of the nation.
These faces go from left to right: America’s birth, growth, and strength. The presidents’ faces are carved into granite at 5,725 feet above sea level. The monument commemorates important events in history through the selection and depiction of these four US presidents.
Why Were These Presidents Chosen?
Have you ever wondered why the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were chosen to be carved on Mount Rushmore? Sculptor Gutzon Borglum wanted to tell the story of America by choosing four presidents who made a big impact on history. George, the first president, is the birthplace of the nation and freedom, and democracy.
Thomas Jefferson, the third president, oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the country and helped it grow. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, is progress and adventure. He protected nature, built the Panama Canal, and made America stronger. Lincoln, the 16th president, kept the country together during the Civil War and ended slavery. Together, these four presidents on Mount Rushmore show how America was born, grew, and became a strong national park service.
Is There a Fifth Face or Hidden Face?
You’ve heard the rumors about the 5th face on Mount Rushmore, but it’s just a myth! The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, only planned 4 faces. Some people thought about adding Susan B. Anthony, but there just wasn’t room on the mountain. The original plan for Mount Rushmore was to carve the full bodies of the 4 presidents, but funding ran out, and they only carved the heads.
But here’s a cool secret: behind Lincoln’s head is a hidden room called the Unfinished Hall or Hall of Records. This secret chamber was supposed to store important documents about history in bronze and glass cabinets, but it’s unfinished and inaccessible.
Who would you add if you could?
How Was Mount Rushmore Made?
Building Mount Rushmore was a big deal! Work started in 1927 with sculptor Gutzon Borglum and over 400 workers. Miners, sculptors, and engineers all worked together to create the giant faces. They used dynamite to blast away over 450,000 tons of granite and then special tools to carve the details. A technique called “honeycombing” helped them remove rock in small pieces, making it easier to carve the fine features of each president.
It took 14 years to finish and was paid for with private money and federal funding, thanks to President Calvin Coolidge, who promised government support. Even though it was tough and sometimes dangerous, they finished the monument in 194,1 and we have a piece of American history. Today, Mount Rushmore is a reminder of what we can do when we work together!
The Secret Room: The Hall of Records
Did you know there’s a secret room behind Abraham Lincoln’s head on Mount Rushmore? It’s called the Hall of Records! Sculptor Gutzon Borglum had this special room in mind as a place to store important documents and treasures of history. He wanted a grand entrance with a bronze eagle, but ran out of money before he could finish it.
Instead, the workers built a tunnel deep into the mountain. Today, the Hall of Records has a titanium vault with porcelain panels that tell the story of the United States. Visitors can’t go inside this secret room, but it’s cool to know Borglum had big ideas and hoped Mount Rushmore would always be a symbol of democracy and history.
Mount Rushmore and Native American Stories
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is not just an American icon – it’s also in the Black Hills, a place that is sacred to Native American tribes like the Lakota, Sioux, and Cheyenne. For these tribes, the Black Hills are full of cultural and spiritual significance. Some Native Americans see Mount Rushmore as a symbol of land taken from them, and the monument has been the site of protests and important conversations about history.
Nearby, you can visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, a giant sculpture of the Lakota leader Crazy Horse. This memorial was started by Native Americans to honor their heroes and tell their own stories. The National Park Service works to preserve the Black Hills, and the Crazy Horse Memorial shows how history has many voices and traditions. When you visit Rushmore National Memorial, you’re in a place where many stories converge!
Mount Rushmore History: How It Was Made
The idea for Mount Rushmore started in 1923 when historian Doane Robinson wanted to bring tourists to South Dakota. Robinson began promoting the project as a way to get people to the Black Hills. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who had worked on the carving of Mount Rushmore in Georgia was chosen for his experience with large monuments. Borglum chose Mount Rushmore because the granite is very hard.
The whole project was a big deal. Originally, it was going to include the heads and the upper bodies of the presidents. Borglum wanted it to be even bigger, but the plans changed due to funding and technical issues. Buffalo Bill Cody was even considered as a possible figure for the monument in the early stages.
Funding was key; the federal government provided funding through federal funds. President Coolidge played a big role by promising federal funding and attending the dedication ceremonies, which helped secure the resources for the construction.
Gutzon Borglum oversaw the construction of Mount Rushmore, but he died in 1941 before it was finished and his son, Lincoln Borglum, finished the job. From 1927 to 1941, over 400 workers climbed the mountain every day to carve the faces using dynamite (boom!) and special tools. They removed 450,000 tons of granite, 90% of it by dynamite. They moved 450,000 tons of rock – that’s a lot of toy blocks! Amazingly, no one was hurt making this giant sculpture. Carving Mount Rushmore was like building a giant sandcastle or Play-Doh sculpture, but on a mountain!
The United States Board on Geographic Names officially recognized the name Mount Rushmore, which was named after New York attorney Charles E. Rushmore, who visited the area in the 1880s. Before it was officially named locals would joke and call it the “damn thing Rushmore.”
How Old Is Mount Rushmore?
Mount Rushmore was started in 1927 and finished in 1941, so as of 2025, it’s 84 years old! The granite is holding up great after all these years. The Hall of Records behind Lincoln’s head was finished in 1998. The sculpture is made of granite, which erodes only 1 inch every 10,000 years. When Mount Rushmore was “born,” there were no iPads or smartphones!
Who Paid for Mount Rushmore?
Most of the money to build Mount Rushmore, about $1 million, came from the U.S. government, which was a lot of money back then! Charles E. Rushmore, the New York lawyer after whom the mountain is named, donated $5,000 to help get the project started. Other people and groups also gave money. President Calvin Coolidge helped get the government to pay for the monument and promised federal funding for the project. You can think of it like everyone pooling their allowance together to build a giant class project!
Fun Facts About the Carving of Mount Rushmore
National Memorial
Each president’s nose is about 20 feet long, longer than a minivan!
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum made George Washington’s nose extra large to ensure it would remain visible and prominent over time.
Workers climbed 700 stairs every day to reach the carving site.
The mountain was once called “Six Grandfathers” by the Lakota Sioux people, who think of it as sacred. The Black Hills are considered sacred by Plains Indians such as the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Lakota Sioux.
Over 2 million visitors come to Mount Rushmore every year to see the giant faces.
Mount Rushmore has appeared in movies like National Treasure, making it a Hollywood star!
Wow! Thomas Jefferson’s face is so big that it could hold a whole playground!
Visiting Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is near Keystone, South Dakota, and is a great place for family trips. You can see the faces from the Grand View Terrace, which has a panoramic view of the Black Hills, or hike the Presidential Trail to get up close and personal. Don’t miss the Lincoln Borglum Museum, which has fun exhibits about the monument, and stop by the visitor center for more information and educational exhibits.
In the summer, there’s even a light show on the faces at night! While you’re in the area, keep an eye out for local wildlife; visitors often see mule deer and Rocky Mountain goat along the trails. Nearby is the Crazy Horse Memorial, a huge carving of a Native American hero. Standing under the faces, you’ll feel like you’re beneath giants bigger than dinosaurs!
Why Mount Rushmore Is Cool
Mount Rushmore has four presidents who helped shape America’s story. It’s a fun place to learn about history and see amazing art carved into a mountain. The Black Hills are also special to Native Americans, so be sure to respect their history too. Maybe you can draw your own Mount Rushmore or visit with your family someday to see these giant faces up close!
Conclusion
Mount Rushmore is an iconic symbol of American history and democracy. The massive sculpture, carved with precision and dedication, honors four U.S. presidents who shaped the country’s birth, growth, development, and preservation. While millions visit each year, it’s also a reminder of the cultural significance of the Black Hills and the complex history of Native American tribes. When you visit Mount Rushmore, you can experience a mix of art, history, and nature, and see the incredible craftsmanship and the stories behind the faces in the mountain.
FAQS
Who was supposed to be the 5th face on Mount Rushmore?
The 5th face that was considered for Mount Rushmore was women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony. But because of a lack of space and funding, her face never made it to the monument.
5 interesting facts about Mount Rushmore
1. Each president’s face is 60 feet tall.
2. 450,000 tons of granite were blasted away with dynamite during the carving process.
- It took 14 years to carve (1927-1941).
4. Not one worker died during the entire project.
5. Behind Abraham Lincoln’s head is a secret room called the Hall of Records, where important American documents are stored.
Why faces on Mount Rushmore?
The faces were carved to honor 4 US presidents, George, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, who represented the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the country. The monument was to celebrate American history and democracy.
How long did it take to finish the faces?
14 years. Started in 1927 and finished in 1941.
