Keystone, South Dakota.
Every year, more than three million people visit the President’s Mountain nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This year, Lynn and I will be counted as two who have again stopped by. Many people know of Gutzon Borglum was the sculptor of the almost million dollar project that was completed in 1941. However, according to an article linked below, the idea came from Doane Robinson as an attraction to draw people to South Dakota. The idea was obviously a giant success.
The monument grounds are much different than I recall from my first visits there, some years (decades, probably) ago. On your way to the viewing area, you can find your state flag displayed in the Avenue of Flags. The selection process for Presidents included is described by the National Park Service who maintains the park, monument and grounds.
George Washington, as our first President, was the foundation of our new democracy. His is the most prominent figure on the mountain. His face as depicted is 60 feet (18 m) long.
Thomas Jefferson, as a primary author of the Declaration of Independence, was involved in the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, after which our country gained 15 new states. His figure represents the country’s growth.
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President and his involvement in the ending of large corporate monopolies and his was a time of great economic growth. Roosevelt was also a conservationist who did much to protect our natural resources. His image represents the economic development of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln was President during our most trying time, the American Civil War. His leadership is given credit for holding the union together. He was chosen to represent the preservation of the United States. More about the Presidents chosen can be found here.
A bust of the sculptor is located in a prominent place on the terrace to the Avenue of the Flags. A few bits of trivia I found on the Internet include the fact that it took 14 years of construction during which there were no fatalities despite working with dynamite as a sculpting tool high on a granite mountain. The head of Jefferson was originally started on Washington’s right, but after 18 months with it not working well there, that original work was blasted off the face and Jefferson was moved to Washington’s left. More trivia can be found here. I submit for your review a gallery of images, not only of the mountain, but of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. In most browsers, click on an image to enlarge it and to scroll through the gallery.
John Steiner
Flare Legend Adventures
I enjoyed viewing this series, and reading about all those special facts that most don’;t know about. Thank you John!
You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Super freakin’ cool ya’ got to visit here again. It’s been decades for me as well. One last visit before it is replaced by giant gilded letters bearing the name of he who shan’t be named. Hahaha 😉
Indeed!