On July 4, when America celebrates the freedom and founding values of the Republic, the eyes inevitably go to one of the most iconic national symbols: Mount Rushmore. The four presidents carved in the granite watch not only on a spectacular landscape, but also on a complex history, which continues to inspire.
Mount Rushmore, symbol of the United States of America. Photo: Shutterstock
In the heart of the Black Hills mountains in South Dakota, four monumental faces solemnly watch over a landscape loaded with history and meanings. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln – each carved in granite – forms the whole of the famous Rushmore mountain, a symbol of American history, but especially of national ambition.
The idea of building a huge sculpture in this area was initially a tourist tint. In the 1920s, local leaders were looking for ways to attract visitors to South Dakota, and Donane Robinson, considered the parent, proposed to create a monument to celebrate important figures of the Wild West – such as Buffalo Bill or Lewis and Clark. However, the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, later involved in the project, had another vision: instead of regional heroes, he proposed the representation of national figures, to transform the work into a symbol of America’s unity and power.
The dream of granite
Jonah Leroy “Doane” Robinson played a fundamental role in initiating the project, but the true architect of the artistic vision was Gutzon Borglum, a sculptor born of Danish Mormon parents. Borglum had a vast experience in monumental sculpture and had previously worked at the controversial Stone Mountain project in Georgia – a sculpture dedicated to Confederation leaders. Due to personal and ideological conflicts, he abandoned that project and was recruited in 1924 to lead the works to what Mount Rushmore would become. Borglum radically reconfigured the initial idea, insisting that only national figures could give a deep meaning to the monument. He collaborated closely with federal officials and obtained the support of President Calvin Coolidge, who authorized the allocation of government funds. In addition to political support, numerous private donations, promotion campaigns and aggressive lobby were also needed to maintain living financing over the years of economic crisis.
Each carved head has 18 meters. Photo: Shutterstock
The actual construction began on October 4, 1927 and continued intermittently until October 31, 1941, when the project was abandoned due to the beginning of World War II and the death of Gutzon Borglum in March 1941. The work was completed, in a reduced form compared to the initial plan, by the sculptor’s son. The work at the monument was titanic. Over 400 workers participated in the works, most of them, sculptors and skilled workers, many of them European immigrants. More than 400,000 kilograms of dynamite were used to dislocate the hard stone of the granite. The thing was extremely dangerous – but, remarkably, no death was recorded during the construction. The workers were climbing on improvised scaffolding, using pneumatic hammers and artisan methods to finish the faces of the presidents, modeled after gypsum models.
The monument impresses not only by significance, but also by the technical greatness. Each carved head is about 18 meters high – the equivalent of a six -storey block. The nose of each figure measures 6 meters, and the mouth, 5.5 meters. The eyes are deep and accentuated with white granite to create the impression of pupils. The total cost of the work amounted to almost one million dollars – a huge amount at that time, especially in the context of the great crisis. About 85% of the funding came from federal funds. Today, the monument attracts over two million visitors every year, being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. It is administered by the National Park Service and considered a site of national importance.
The four parents of America
Choosing the four presidents was not accidental. George Washington represents the birth of the nation, being the leader of the War of Independence and the first president of the US. Thomas Jefferson symbolizes the territorial expansion, being the author of the Declaration of Independence and the initiator of Louisian’s acquisition. Abraham Lincoln is the voice of unity and freedom, the one who maintained the Union during the civil war and abolished slavery. Theodore Roosevelt embodies the modernization and global positioning of America, being the promoter of expansionist foreign policy and internal progress. Together, these four leaders reflect the official narration of America as a constantly constructing nation, in search of world freedom, unity and influence. The monument thus becomes a visual lesson in history, but also a memory selection exercise, in which other figures-such as indigenous, African or women-are completely missing.
From sacred to profane
Black Hills is a sacred region for the Lakota Sioux tribes, which considered the mountain a spiritual place, calling it “Six Grandfathers” (“Six grandparents”). In 1868, through the Treaty of Fort Laramie, the federal government recognized these territories as part of the Indigenous Reservation. However, following the discovery of gold, the US army occupied the area, violating the treaty – a historical wound that never closed. For the native populations, the carving of the faces of the colonistic leaders on a holy territory is a form of cultural desecration. These tensions have led to protests and requests to return the land. In 1980, the US Supreme Court recognized the illegality of confiscation and offered financial damages – refused by the Lakota tribes, who want the effective return of the Earth.
Four of the first American presidents. Photo: Shutterstock
Rushmore was conceived as a visual narrative about the greatness of America. But the history of the monument shows us and how fragile the border between tribute and myth can be. Choosing the presidents, excluding other groups from the national story, the location on indigenous territory – all these are open questions around the inheritance of the monument. However, Rushmore has also become a source of artistic, literary and cinematic inspiration. It has appeared in iconic films (such as “Northwest” Alfred Hitchcock), in comics, protests and parodies. It is a place where official history meets the popular imaginary, and visitors cannot remain indifferent to the contrasts they cause.
Behind the imposing granite faces hide symbols and meanings that reflect ideologies, power struggles and visions about what “true America” means. Each president on the mountain represents a version of the American political ideal: Washington – Beginning, Jefferson – Expansion, Lincoln – Reconciliation, Roosevelt – Global Power. But these faces were not only chosen for historical merits, but also to support a dominant narrative of national identity, one that marginalized the minority voices and ignored the collective traumas of slavery, colonization and cultural assimilation. Mount Rushmore was often politically instrumentalized, becoming a background for patriotic speeches, election campaigns or ideological messages. At different times, the monument was also seen as a symbol of progress, but also of cultural hegemony. In recent decades, critical indigenous activists have drawn attention to the fact that the choice of figurines and the location of the monument on a disputed territory reflects a partial vision, which excludes other facets of American history. Thus, Rushmore is not only a tribute, but also a warning about the risk of confusing the official memory with the historical truth.
In the shadow of the great mountain
Mount Rushmore is in the southwest of the state of South Dakota, in the heart of the Black Hills mountains. The nearest city is Keystone, located about three kilometers. It can be reached by car on the US Route 16 highway, the road being well signaled and accessible throughout the year. Rapid City Regional Airport, about 50 kilometers away, offers internal flights from big American cities. The monument is open to visitors daily (except Christmas), from 5 in the morning, and the entrance is free, although the parking is for a fee. Visitors can explore the Grand View Terrace – the main observation platform -, can go to Presidential Trail (a panoramic path) and visit Sculptor’s Studio, where the original tools and the monument model are exposed. Inside the complex there is an interactive museum, an amphitheater for projections and ceremonies and tourist facilities (cafe, gift shop, information center).
Badlands National Park. Photo: Shutterstock
Another impressive goal near Mount Rushmore is Badlands National Park, about two hours away by car. With its atypical relief – grows, steep canyons, rock towers and colored sedimentary plateaus – the park offers an incursion into the region’s old geology. It is also a paradise for paleontologists, having some of the richest fossil deposits in North America. South of Rushmore are two of the most spectacular caves of the continent: Jewel Cave and Wind Cave, both declared national monuments. Jewel Cave, the third longest cave in the world, impresses with its shiny calcite crystals, while Wind Cave is known for the rare, delicate rock formations that resemble some stone honeycombs. These are exploratic in guided tours and offer an underground perspective on the natural wealth of the area.
For those passionate about history and stories in the Wild West, Deadwood is an essential stop. Located north of Black Hills, Deadwood was a famous mining city in the 19th century, the place where they lived famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Today, the city retains the border atmosphere, with restored historical buildings, museums, thematic salons and even casinos. The area is, at the same time, an ideal territory for hiking, mountain cycling, camping and fauna observation – bisons, deer, bears or eagles can be seen in the reserves in the area. The thick forests, the sinuous roads, the tunnels dug in the rock and the panoramic points offer you the complete experience of the classic American landscape – both in the tourist images and the deepest, who talks about stretch, solitude and freedom.
