In the early 1920's, the state of South Dakota was trying to find a way to bring tourists to their state. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum said he would sculpt 4 president's faces on the granite face of Mt Rushmore, that should bring people to South Dakota. He was correct, 2 million people come to Mt Rushmore every year. From 1927 - 1941 he and his son (with 400 workers) blasted the granite away to sculpt the faces of America's founding father George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Originally they were to be busts not just faces, but as those things sometimes go, the monument building funds were used up and no more could be raised to complete the project. The faces are 60' high, they face southeast to maximize sun exposure. The granite is incredibly durable, it erodes one inch every 10,000 years. If you find yourself in southwest South Dakota, don't miss visiting this national monument, it is breathtaking!
Stunning capture - and I'm sure this is the closest I'll ever get to see them!! I saw a lego display of this in Denmark many, many years ago and marvelled at that :) fav and thanks!
Thank you so very much for pushing this to the TP and PP, your comments and favs are wonderful!
I despaired at first when we arrived at the site because of the clouds, but once I stood in the middle of the pavilion and looked up, I was thrilled. You can see beneath George Washington's head the beginning of the design for his bust, his coat lapels are carved lightly. I thought that was very sweet, given the knowledge that the sculptor ran out of funds to finish the project. I will never forget being there, it was very special to me!
Thank you so very much for pushing this to the TP and PP, your comments and favs are wonderful!
I despaired at first when we arrived at the site because of the clouds, but once I stood in the middle of the pavilion and looked up, I was thrilled. You can see beneath George Washington's head the beginning of the design for his bust, his coat lapels are carved lightly. I thought that was very sweet, given the knowledge that the sculptor ran out of funds to finish the project. I will never forget being there, it was very special to me!