Rushmore was the brainchild of historian Doane Robinson who proposed the sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The memorial was championed to Congress by President Coolidge in 1923. Its work took from 1927 to 1941, when Borglum died and his son oversaw the wind-down of the project. Borglum did no fewer than seventeen designs, and even into the blasting had to make major adjustments when it was discovered that the rock to Washington’s right, originally intended for Jefferson, was unsuitable for carving.
The original model shows a much more complete depiction, but Congress refused to allocate any more funds to finish the project. I think it looks pretty wonderful as it is, but I found a picture to show you its original intent. This is one of his final models in his studio, but you can see it’s not even the last one he did. Congress spent all of $989 thousand dollars, a puny sum these days for something so magnificent.
Washington depicts the founding of the nation, Jefferson its dedication to the rights of all, Lincoln the solidarity of the union, and Roosevelt its leadership in the world. Susan B. Anthony was supposed to have been added, but Congress decided in its wisdom that only the heads that were started should be finished. I guess they figured she had laundry and cooking to do.
Another group similarly offended were the ones who were here in the first place, the Native Americans. Oh yeah, them. Currently in progress is the Crazy Horse monument, about 20 miles away in another part of Rushmore Park. Just the head is in place, but I hope Congress doesn’t wimp out and cut out the horse under him. It should be awesome when it’s completed.
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