You must have seen Mount Rushmore before, 59 ft the tall portrait of four presidents carved into the rock is one of the most famous symbols of the USA. The National Memorial is located near Keystone, South Dakota, and is visited by two million people a year. Which presidents are immortalised in the rock and how much did it cost to build the memorial?
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Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln Are Carved Into the Rock
Historian Doane Robinson came up with the idea of carving important figures in American history into rock in the early 1920s. The idea made sense; tourism in South Dakota is one of the main sources of revenue for the budget, and for patriots, U.S. presidents carved in rock are something they must see in person at least once in their lives.
Construction of the monument began in 1927, and from the beginning it was clear which four presidents would be forever portrayed to represent the then 130-year history of the United States. On Mount Rusmore are, from left to right, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
The carving of the statues at Mt. Rushmore took until October 31, 1941; unfortunately, the portrait maker, Gutzon Borglum, did not live to see the completion. He died of a pulmonary embolism about six months before completion, and his son Lincoln Borglum had to take over the work. On a positive note, no one died during the work, which was quite rare at the time. 400 workers were involved in the construction.
Construction of Mount Rushmore National Memorial cost $989,992.32 at then-current prices, equivalent to $22,216,488 in 2024 dollars.
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Fun Facts About Mount Rushmore
🗿 How Presidents Were Selected to Climb Mount Rushmore
The names of the three presidents carved into the rock of Mount Rushmore were clear from the beginning: George Washington as the first president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson as the author of the Declaration of Independence, and Abraham Lincoln, who held the country together during the Civil War.
The fourth name was debated, with various people advocating Woodrow Wilson or Theodore Roosevelt. In the end, the latter was chosen.
⛰️ The Secret Room Inside the Rock
The Mount Rushmore Memorial hides a secret room inside that was intended to serve as a hall of American history. The room was to be decorated with busts of famous Americans and to display important documents from the history of the United States.
However, money ran out during construction, whereupon the U.S. government cut the budget and ordered that only the building of faces was allowed to continue. Thus, the Hall remains unfinished and inaccessible to this day, although documents charting the construction of the Mount Rushmore Memorial were placed there in 1998.
📛 How the Name Mt. Rushmore Came About
The name Mount Rushmore has nothing to do with presidents; the rock got its name around 1885 when New York attorney Charles E. Rushmore was passing through the area. He asked his guide at the time about the name of the rock.
The guide replied that the rock had no name, but would henceforth be called Rushmore. Charles E. Rushmore then became one of the first donors to contribute financially to the construction of the monument.
📏 How Tall Are the Faces of Presidents
The statues of the presidents at Mount Rushmore are actually smaller than they appear in photos and videos. The heads only measure 59 ft in height, for example the Statue of Liberty measures 151 ft.
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How to Visit Mount Rushmore
🗺️ Where Is Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is located near the town of Keystone, South Dakota. The larger town nearby is Rapid City, and the monument is surrounded by the Black Hills. Check out Mt. Rushmore on Google Maps.
🚗 How to Get to Mt. Rushmore
To get to Mt. Rushmore, I recommend renting a car, take the Rapid City exit off of I-90. Continue on U.S. Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then take Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Public transportation is worse; although Greyhound runs to Rapid City, there is no regular service directly to the monument. You can only take a paid tour, which comes with a shuttle.
🅿️ Parking at Mount Rushmore
There is a large car park for hundreds of cars right at Mount Rushmore, the charge per car is $10.00 (updated July 2024). The parking fee is valid for one year, card payment is possible.
🎟️ Admission to Mount Rushmore
Admission to Mount Rushmore National Monument is free, no need to book anything in advance. Only parking is charged.
🕒 Opening Hours of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore Memorial is open daily from 5:00am to 11:00pm, closing at 9:00pm between early October and early March.
Visitor centres and refreshment stands are usually open from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however opening hours may vary according to the season or weather.
📅 When to Visit Mount Rushmore
The peak season at Mount Rushmore is from June to August, these are the months when you will encounter the most tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early in the morning, preferably before 9am. If you’re not an early bird, schedule your tour after 3:30pm.
The weather is still good in May, September and October, with fewer tourists in the area.
🛏️ Hotels Near Mount Rushmore
There are plenty of lodges and motels around Mount Rushmore where you can stay. The largest selection is in the towns of Custer, Keystone and Rapid City. During peak season, the supply may be limited, so book your accommodations early.
💡 Good to Know Before Visiting Mount Rushmore
If you’re planning an afternoon tour, wait until after dark for the quite interesting Mount Rushmore lighting ceremony. You can use the toilets in the visitor centre, which also has a gift shop with souvenirs and refreshments.
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Photos of Mount Rushmore National Monument
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