Behind the scenery: Mount Rushmore story goes beyond presidential profiles
Whether it's the sweeping beauty of South Dakota's Black Hills, the camaraderie of bringing together road-trippers from across the country or pondering what it took to blast and carve 60-foot-tall faces out of granite, Mount Rushmore has a way of making an impression.
'It's a bucket list place for so many people,' says Blaine Kortemeyer, operations manager for interpretation at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 'They don't always get a chance to come here until later in life, and when they do, it's often a magical moment.'
Representing eras
With the 250th anniversary of America's independence looming in 2026 and this year's 100th anniversary of when the creation of Mount Rushmore was approved, this icon offers an enduring place to ponder patriotism, the complexities of U.S. history and the pivotal times that each of the four presidents was chosen to represent.
George Washington led troops in the American Revolution and stands for the birth of a representative democracy after rebelling against Britain's monarchy.
Thomas Jefferson helped write the Declaration of Independence and represents the United States' expansion as the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 allowed the young country to double its size and move west.
Abraham Lincoln, who championed the end of slavery, represents the preservation of the United States for how he held the nation together during the tumultuous Civil War from 1861 to 1865.
Theodore Roosevelt represents leadership during the country's early 20th century economic growth when he played a key role in establishing the Panama Canal shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and became a 'trust buster' to end corporate monopolies. He also fought for the environment by establishing 150 national forests, five national parks and 55 preserves that would become the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903.
Built to draw travelers
The concept for Mount Rushmore was proposed by historian Doane Robinson in 1923 as a bold way to draw tourists to the state as more people bought their first motor cars and roads were being expanded across the country. The national memorial was declared completed in 1941 and now draws close to 2.5 million visitors annually.
The film at Mount Rushmore's Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center explains the challenges of carving the mountain as well as the pivotal eras represented by each president.
The Presidential Trail, which begins at the Grand View Terrace, takes visitors through ponderosa pines and loops closer to the mountain for additional views, such as seeing Washington's face framed by rock. On the trail's last stretch, guests can see Gutzon Borglum's Sculptor's Studio, which includes a scale model of the original carving concept.
Borglum intended to carve the presidents to their waists, but the declining quality of rock as crews progressed forced them to reign in the design. An idea for a Hall of Records behind the memorial also didn't reach completion.
Most people spend three to four hours at the memorial, with many returning or staying until the evening program in the outdoor amphitheater. It begins at 9 p.m. from the Friday before Memorial Day through early August and at 8 p.m. through Sept. 30. The program can draw up to 2,000 people for a short talk by a park ranger, a film inspired by the presidents and the history they represent and the illumination of Mount Rushmore. Attendees also stand to sing the national anthem and recognize retired and active military members, and Gold Star families who've lost someone in service to their country.
Crazy Horse carving continues. The original idea for what became Mount Rushmore would have depicted Western heroes, such as Oglala Lakota leader Red Cloud and 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. Chief Henry Standing Bear proposed a carving of a Lakota leader in the Black Hills, and work began in 1948 on Crazy Horse Memorial about 15 miles from Mount Rushmore.
The 87-foot-tall face is finished, along with part of his arm and the top of the horse he rides. Crazy Horse is expected to be the world's largest sculpture when it's complete, rising more than 500 feet tall. Operated by a nonprofit foundation, the site is also home to the Indian Museum of North America, art galleries and Native American cultural programs. Many tribal nations consider Pahá Sápa (the Black Hills) a sacred place, as well as an ancestral home.
Here are some tips for enjoying a visit to Mount Rushmore:
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USA Today
21 hours ago
- USA Today
Behind the scenery: Mount Rushmore story goes beyond presidential profiles
Whether it's the sweeping beauty of South Dakota's Black Hills, the camaraderie of bringing together road-trippers from across the country or pondering what it took to blast and carve 60-foot-tall faces out of granite, Mount Rushmore has a way of making an impression. 'It's a bucket list place for so many people,' says Blaine Kortemeyer, operations manager for interpretation at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. 'They don't always get a chance to come here until later in life, and when they do, it's often a magical moment.' Representing eras With the 250th anniversary of America's independence looming in 2026 and this year's 100th anniversary of when the creation of Mount Rushmore was approved, this icon offers an enduring place to ponder patriotism, the complexities of U.S. history and the pivotal times that each of the four presidents was chosen to represent. George Washington led troops in the American Revolution and stands for the birth of a representative democracy after rebelling against Britain's monarchy. Thomas Jefferson helped write the Declaration of Independence and represents the United States' expansion as the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 allowed the young country to double its size and move west. Abraham Lincoln, who championed the end of slavery, represents the preservation of the United States for how he held the nation together during the tumultuous Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Theodore Roosevelt represents leadership during the country's early 20th century economic growth when he played a key role in establishing the Panama Canal shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and became a 'trust buster' to end corporate monopolies. He also fought for the environment by establishing 150 national forests, five national parks and 55 preserves that would become the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903. Built to draw travelers The concept for Mount Rushmore was proposed by historian Doane Robinson in 1923 as a bold way to draw tourists to the state as more people bought their first motor cars and roads were being expanded across the country. The national memorial was declared completed in 1941 and now draws close to 2.5 million visitors annually. The film at Mount Rushmore's Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center explains the challenges of carving the mountain as well as the pivotal eras represented by each president. The Presidential Trail, which begins at the Grand View Terrace, takes visitors through ponderosa pines and loops closer to the mountain for additional views, such as seeing Washington's face framed by rock. On the trail's last stretch, guests can see Gutzon Borglum's Sculptor's Studio, which includes a scale model of the original carving concept. Borglum intended to carve the presidents to their waists, but the declining quality of rock as crews progressed forced them to reign in the design. An idea for a Hall of Records behind the memorial also didn't reach completion. Most people spend three to four hours at the memorial, with many returning or staying until the evening program in the outdoor amphitheater. It begins at 9 p.m. from the Friday before Memorial Day through early August and at 8 p.m. through Sept. 30. The program can draw up to 2,000 people for a short talk by a park ranger, a film inspired by the presidents and the history they represent and the illumination of Mount Rushmore. Attendees also stand to sing the national anthem and recognize retired and active military members, and Gold Star families who've lost someone in service to their country. Crazy Horse carving continues. The original idea for what became Mount Rushmore would have depicted Western heroes, such as Oglala Lakota leader Red Cloud and 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. Chief Henry Standing Bear proposed a carving of a Lakota leader in the Black Hills, and work began in 1948 on Crazy Horse Memorial about 15 miles from Mount Rushmore. The 87-foot-tall face is finished, along with part of his arm and the top of the horse he rides. Crazy Horse is expected to be the world's largest sculpture when it's complete, rising more than 500 feet tall. Operated by a nonprofit foundation, the site is also home to the Indian Museum of North America, art galleries and Native American cultural programs. Many tribal nations consider Pahá Sápa (the Black Hills) a sacred place, as well as an ancestral home. Here are some tips for enjoying a visit to Mount Rushmore:
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5 things to do in Wisconsin Dells if you don't want to get wet
No one disputes that Wisconsin Dells is "The Waterpark Capital of the World." But there are plenty of other attractions in the state's tourism magnet that don't require a swimsuit. There are historic venues, such as the studio where photographer H.H. Bennett produced photos that put Wisconsin Dells on the map after the Civil War. There are the Original Wisconsin Ducks, which use amphibious vehicles developed during World War II to provide access to stunning scenery. But there's modernity at work, too, including a gaming center that taps into the role-playing video game mentality and a hands-on museum that gives people a chance to explore what it's like in space. So if your skin is shriveling from being soaked all the time on your trip to the Dells, give these five venues a try. It's likely that Wisconsin Dells wouldn't even be Wisconsin Dells if it weren't for Henry Hamilton Bennett. Injured while serving in the Union Army's 12th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War, Bennett became a photographer. In 1865 he opened a studio in what would become Wisconsin Dells. The studio moved to its current location, 215 Broadway Ave., in 1875. The H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum is now operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, and it lays claim to being the oldest-known operating business in Wisconsin Dells, and the oldest still-operating photography studio in the U.S., according to the studio's website. Bennett's photos helped make Wisconsin Dells a tourism mecca, and he's ranked among the best of American photographers. The studio showcases Bennett's original photos and equipment, and the museum features exhibits about Bennett's life, the Ho-Chunk Nation, Dells tourism and more. More information: The museum is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Admission is $12 for adults and teens, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $5 for children 5 through 12, and free for children 4 and younger. Learn more at Wizard Quest is a 30,000-square-foot "fantasy-themed labyrinth," according to its website. Players, often in teams, wander through the three-story fantasy land, working on different quests to help various characters. It's like entering a life-sized role-playing video game. The experience includes a variety of obstacles, which helps parents choose adventures best suited to their kids. Young children will enjoy easier quests, while older kids might revel in "puzzle-finding and riddle-solving," according to the website. More information: Participants pay for two-hour blocks of playing time, and the goal is to solve as many quests as possible. Tickets reserved online cost $31.19 for players ages 10 and older and $23.91 for children ages 3 through 9. Wizard Quest is located at 400 Broadway Ave., and it is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. See for more. Tommy Bartlett is an iconic name in Wisconsin Dells, and the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory is part of his legacy. A Chicago radio and television host, Bartlett started his famous water ski and boat shows in the Dells in 1953. In 1982, he opened Tommy Bartlett's Robot World, which featured "lovable robots like those popularized by film and TV of the era," according to the Exploratory's website. A year later, the Exploratory, with its hands-on science exhibits, was added to the endeavor. Bartlett's ski show ended in 2020, after having entertained millions of people for nearly 70 years. The Exploratory evolved through the years, dropping the emphasis on robotics and focusing on space and scient. Ripley's Entertainment purchased the Exploratory and other Bartlett's venues earlier this year, and it aims to keep the venue open year-round. The Exploratory offers people a chance to see a core module from the Russian space station MIR, explore a replica of a Mercury space capsule, lift a 5,000-pound car off the ground with a giant lever, and ride the High Wire Skycycle, a bicycle that balances on a cable strung 12 feet above the ground. xxx More information: Located at 560 Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, the Exploratory costs $16.50 for adults, $13.50 for children ages 4 through 11, and $13.20 for people ages 65 and older. It's open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information, see The Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster offers the spirit of a long-lasting water slide, only participants don't get wet. Riders on the Mountain Coaster sit in vehicles that look like go-karts on rails. The ride twists and turns through the hilly woods east of Lake Delton. The coaster is just over 3,800 feet long — almost 3/4 of a mile. The runs last from seven to 10 minutes, according to the Mountain Coaster website, and speeds can reach up to 27 mph. More information: Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster is located at 111 Sauk County A South. It's open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. A single ride is $18.66 for visitors age 13 and up and $13.48 for children 12 and under. Three-ride packs are $41.48 and $31.11. For more details, visit If the towering water parks represent the modern brand of fun in Wisconsin Dells, the Original Wisconsin Dells are the old school. The amphibious Wisconsin Ducks have been giving tourists rides on land and water since 1946. The company used World War II surplus vehicles, dubbed "ducks" after the official DUKW designation. (D represented 1942, the year the truck was designed; U stood for utility vehicle; K meant the truck was all-wheel drive capable; and W meant there were two rear axels.) 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