Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Posted byChristi IfferganPosted inSouth DakotaTags:, , , , , , ,

I have been looking forward to sharing my visit to Mount Rushmore. So many times I see the places I visit in a different light when I am preparing blog posts. The photos here are in order as I drive into the park and see Mount Rushmore for the first time. I hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I did.

The name “Black Hills” comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean “hills that are black.” Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black.

In the Black Hills, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are carved high in granite 5,550 feet tall.

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because of their significant contributions to the expansion, preservation and unification of the US. Mount Rushmore was carved between 1927 & 1941. Believe it or not, 90% of the carving was done with dynamite!

As beautiful as this area is, it is not without controversy.

In my coming posts, you will see my visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial which is 25 miles from Mount Rushmore. The story of the Crazy Horse Monument is significant when discussing the Black Hills and Native American history.

Published by Christi Iffergan

Hi! I am Christi, a full-time RV traveller since August 2021. I have always loved to travel, but COVID-19 put a stop to that. I was fast approaching 50, my condo was being placed up for sale and I was ready for a major change. Originally from a tiny town in rural Southwest Virginia, I am the mother to one son and a rescue Shih Tzu, Cappy. For the last 20 years, I worked in public library systems around the Charlotte & Myrtle Beach areas. I met some amazing people and made great friends along the way. Follow along on my adventures as I travel the US. I hope that our paths will cross one day!

7 thoughts on “Mount Rushmore National Memorial”

  1. I have never seen Mt. Rushmore in person. When I was growing up, my dad bought my mom several pieces of “Black Hills Gold” jewelry. I believe the gold is tri-colored. While I’m not a big jewelry person, I liked it. Safe travels!

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  4. awesome to see, must be something to look at in person, yet sad not to know what history never wants you to know about some things, how the Native Americans have had to suffer through this monument , sad..

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  5. Awesome pics Christy! The story does not surprise however when my husband and I traveled out west it seem like there was trouble with the Indians and how they felt the country had taken away their land.

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