History of Mount Rushmore

            In the Black Hills of South Dakota stands the largest sculpture in the world carved into the side of a mountain. The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were the four courageous men that were considered for the carving. These men stood for the upbringing of our country, America. Mount Rushmore has served as a patriotic symbol that stands for America's freedom and history. These individuals have also set the standards for our country that have helped with the judicial system and setting morals for citizens to live by. .
             The marvelous idea for this carving was inspired by Doane Robinson, who was Secretary of the South Dakota Historical Society (Presnall 15). Robinson proposed the idea to Senator Peter Norbeck. Both of these men strived for an attraction to put South Dakota on the map, they believed this monument would be the answer. Before any further thoughts of such a project they proposed this idea to the citizens of South Dakota. Many were opposed to this sculpture. They thought that it would destroy what was already a beautiful place. Some thought it might enhance the beauty and overall attract more tourists to South Dakota. .
             Robinson was correct with the amount of attention the monument would get; presently about three million people visit per year (Dobrzynski). Robinson and Norbeck were in search of the perfect artist, when they thought that Gutzon Borglum would be the perfect man for the job. In 1924, Robinson acquired the help of famous sculptor Borglum to create this idea (Taliaferro 209). Mount Rushmore was named after Charles E. Rushmore. Rushmore was a New York lawyer who was hired to investigate some land claims in the Black Hills around 1885 (Presnall 26). When Rushmore and his guide, Bill Challis, approached the grand mountain Rushmore asked what the mountain was called. Challis replied that the site would from now on be called Mount Rushmore.