Mount Rushmore Facts

The following facts about Mount Rushmore help to supplement your knowledge of this national memorial, providing you with an overall picture of the site’s history, facilities and other basic information.

Mount Rushmore Monument Facts

Historical Facts

• Mt. Rushmore is one of the most recognized American symbols of democracy.
• The idea for a Black Hills' sculpture came from South Dakota State Historian, Doane Robinson.
• The carving was created by sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, and a team of 400 workers.
• Each morning, workers had to climb 700 stairs to “punch-in” for the day.
• Miraculously, no workers were killed during the project.
• The sculpture took 14 years to complete (Oct. 4, 1927 – Oct. 31, 1941), at a price just under $990,000.
• The monument was named after a New York City attorney, Charles E. Rushmore.
• Climbing Mt. Rushmore is strictly prohibited but that doesn’t stop the occasional climber from trying. They are promptly arrested.

Mount Rushmore Carving Information

• Each Presidential face is as tall as a 6-story building.
• Other dimensions:
  Noses – Washington’s nose is 21 feet long, the rest are 20 feet.
  Eyes – 11 feet wide
  Mouths – 18 feet wide
• Borglum and workers used jackhammers, chisels and dynamite to create the sculpture.
• Initially, Jefferson was placed to Washington’s right, however, after 18 months of sculpting Jefferson, workers used dynamite to erase the figure and placed him to Washington’s left.

Sculptor Facts

• Borglum studied art in Paris and became friends with the French sculptor, Auguste Rodin.
• Gutzon died before Mt. Rushmore's completion; his son, Lincoln, put the finishing touches on the monument.
• Borglum campaigned for Theodore Roosevelt’s reelection.
• Borglum’s tools, models, and studio can be viewed at the memorial.

Presidents – Interesting Facts

• Washington was the only President never to reside in Washington, D.C.
• Jefferson’s personal library became the basis for the Library of Congress.
• Lincoln was the tallest President, standing 6 feet 4 inches.
• Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to be seen riding in an automobile in public.

Mt. Rushmore Facilities Facts

• Nearly 3 million people visit Mt. Rushmore every year.
• A visitor center, sculptor's studio, museum, gift shop and more are featured on-site.
• Each summer, Mt. Rushmore hosts a sculptor-in-residence.
• There are 56 flags along the Avenue of Flags – 50 state, 1 district, 3 territories, and 2 commonwealth flags of the US.
• Mt. Rushmore is located in a group of granite hills surrounded by prairie.
• Area wildlife includes deer, mountain goats, turkeys, and wildflowers.

Contact Information

• Phone (Park Headquarters): 605 - 574 – 2523
  Phone (Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center): 605 – 574 – 3165
  Phone (Visitor Information – recorded): 605 – 574 – 3171
• Fax: 605 – 574 – 2307
• Mail: 13000 Highway 244
  Building 31, Suite 1
  Keystone, SD 57751-0268