Things That Will Totally SHOCK You About Mount Rushmore National Memorial!
🤯 🏔️ From hidden chambers to surprising sculptors, the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial is full of secrets and surprises. 😲 #MountRushmore #NationalMemorial #SouthDakota
Keystone, South Dakota – Get ready to have your mind blown by the awe-inspiring and sometimes downright bizarre facts about one of America’s most iconic landmarks – Mount Rushmore National Memorial!
This colossal sculpture, nestled in the heart of South Dakota‘s Black Hills, has been capturing the hearts and imaginations of visitors for nearly a century. But there’s more to this monumental masterpiece than meets the eye.
From secret chambers to surprising construction techniques, my hubby Jack and I have uncovered 10 jaw-dropping facts that will make you see Mount Rushmore in a whole new light. So, buckle up and prepare to be amazed as we dive into the fascinating world of this larger-than-life tribute to four of America’s greatest presidents!
Shocking Facts About Mount Rushmore
1. The sculpture was never actually completed! The original design included the presidents’ torsos, but due to lack of funding, only their heads were carved.
2. There’s a hidden chamber behind Lincoln’s head called the “Hall of Records,” which houses important historical documents.
3. The monument’s sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, had ties to the Ku Klux Klan, but he later renounced the group and destroyed his KKK membership card.
4. The presidents’ noses are around 20 feet long, and their mouths are roughly 18 feet wide. Talk about a larger-than-life sculpture!
5. It took a total of 14 years and 400 workers to complete the sculpture, using dynamite, jackhammers, and chisels.
6. The sculpture was originally meant to feature wild west heroes like Buffalo Bill Cody and Lewis and Clark, but the final design featured four U.S. presidents instead.
7. The monument is designed to last for thousands of years, thanks to the durable granite rock and the sculptors’ attention to detail.
8. During the sculpting process, workers would often climb down the mountain at lunchtime to grab a bite to eat, then return to their precarious positions on the mountainside.
9. There’s a little-known “fifth face” on Mount Rushmore – the profile of a Native American man, which can be seen when viewing the monument from a specific angle.
10. The monument attracts around 3 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.
Conclusion
From its awe-inspiring size to its hidden secrets and surprising history, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a testament to the ingenuity, determination, and sometimes controversial nature of the American spirit.
This monumental sculpture has endured for nearly a century, weathering both natural elements and political storms, and it continues to captivate visitors from around the world.
So the next time you find yourself gazing up at those colossal faces, take a moment to appreciate not only the artistry and engineering that went into creating this masterpiece but also the complex and fascinating stories that lie beneath the surface. Mount Rushmore may be set in stone, but its history and legacy are anything but static!
🗣 Which of these Mount Rushmore facts was the most surprising? Did we miss anything? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
