Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a distinctive landmark of American history and patriotism. The monument consists of the faces of four iconic American presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt – sculpted into the granite of the mountain by Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers.
The entire monument measures 60 feet high and 400 feet wide. Each of the four presidents’ sculpted heads is approximately 60 feet in size. It took 14 years of hard work to complete the monument, from 1927 to 1941. The project cost $990,000 to complete, which is equal to approximately $15 million in today’s money. The memorial’s symbolism and impact are immense, as each president chosen represents a different period of American history.
Washington represents America’s beginnings as the first president; Jefferson represents the nation’s expansion westward; Lincoln represents the Civil War, emancipation, and preservation of the Union; and Roosevelt represents continued progress and innovation through the 20th century. For many, Mount Rushmore carries spiritual and emotional significance as it serves as a reminder of America’s history, accomplishments, and spirit of patriotism.