Mount Rushmore: A Sacred Mountain's Transformation and Enduring Legacy

Discover the history and legacy of Mount Rushmore — from its Lakota roots as Six Grandfathers Mountain to Gutzon Borglum’s monumental carving, its cultural impact, and the ongoing dialogue about history, art, and identity.

A story of stone, spirit, and history — from Six Grandfathers Mountain to America’s most iconic monument.

The colossal granite faces carved into the side of what was once known as Six Grandfathers Mountain have become an iconic symbol of American history. But beyond the famous visages of presidents, lies a deeper narrative of cultural significance, ambition, and the enduring spirit of a sacred place.

This article explores Mount Rushmore’s layered history: its Lakota origins, the dramatic transformation through artistry and dynamite, the controversies it still carries, and the enduring stories etched into its stone.

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The Sacred Roots: Six Grandfathers Mountain

Before it bore the faces of presidents, this mountain was known as Six Grandfathers by the Lakota people. Ancient stories told of its sacredness, with the Lakota believing the mountain was alive, breathing with them, a guardian of the wind and pines.

The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie guaranteed the Black Hills to the Lakota “in perpetuity.” But after the discovery of gold, the U.S. government seized the land, breaking the treaty. For the Lakota Sioux, Mount Rushmore became a powerful symbol of dispossession and cultural loss.

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A Vision Takes Shape: Gutzon Borglum’s Idea

In 1923, historian Doane Robinson envisioned a mountain monument to draw visitors to South Dakota. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum saw a larger mission: a grand tribute to American democracy and progress.

Congress passed the Norbeck-Williamson Act of 1929, officially approving and funding the project. Work began in 1927 with over 400 workers.

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The Dynamite and the Dream: Carving the Faces

From 1927 to 1941, more than 400,000 tons of granite were blasted away with dynamite, then refined with chisels. Workers dangled from ropes, using drills and jackhammers to sculpt 60-foot tall faces.

• George Washington – symbolizing the nation’s founding.

• Thomas Jefferson – representing expansion through the Louisiana Purchase.

• Theodore Roosevelt – embodying progress, strength, and conservation.

• Abraham Lincoln – reflecting unity and the struggle to end slavery.

Borglum died in 1941, leaving the monument unfinished, but the four faces completed.

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Echoes of Controversy

While Mount Rushmore is celebrated as a patriotic icon, it is also contested. For the Lakota, the carving defaced a sacred mountain and violated treaty promises.

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians that the Black Hills were taken illegally, awarding $17 million in compensation plus interest. The Sioux Nation refused the money, insisting the land itself must be returned.

Nearby, the ongoing Crazy Horse Memorial serves as a cultural response: a colossal carving in honor of the Lakota warrior, symbolizing resilience and remembrance.

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The Monument’s Enduring Symbolism

Today, Mount Rushmore attracts over 2 million visitors annually (2,431,195 in 2023, according to the National Park Service). The busiest month is July, while May, September, and October offer quieter visits.

Beyond tourism, the monument appears in popular culture — from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) to films like National Treasure, Mars Attacks!, and Superman II. Its imagery has become shorthand for American identity and politics.

Yet its symbolism is layered: for some, it represents freedom, unity, and national ideals. For others, it is a reminder of colonization and cultural erasure.

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Legacy and Continuance

The granite itself is strong, standing against storms and time. The faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln remain a powerful vision of American history carved into stone.

But Mount Rushmore is more than its presidential visages. It is a paradox — a monument of ambition and artistry, yet also a reminder of broken treaties and displaced voices.

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Conclusion: The Unfolding Narrative of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore continues to inspire, challenge, and provoke dialogue. It is both a triumph of human endeavor and a symbol of contested history. Its power lies not just in its scale, but in its many layers: the artistry of Borglum, the ideals of presidents, the voices of the Lakota, and the enduring spirit of the Black Hills.

As the sun sets on the granite faces, the mountain asks us to listen — to its silence, its whispers, and the echoes of both pride and protest carved forever in stone.

📌 Author: Borna Cuk