So you're wondering who is on Mount Rushmore? I get that question all the time from friends planning South Dakota trips. Let me break it down for you simply: those giant stone heads belong to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But why these four? That's where things get interesting.
Mount Rushmore Quick Facts
Location: Black Hills, South Dakota
Sculptor: Gutzon Borglum
Years Carved: 1927-1941
Annual Visitors: ~2 million
Mountain Height: 5,725 ft (1,745 m)
First time I visited back in 2017, I'll admit I was underwhelmed by the parking situation but completely blown away when I finally saw those faces up close. Pictures don't do justice to how massive they are - each president's face is about 60 feet tall!
The Four Faces on Mount Rushmore Explained
Okay, let's get to the main act: who are the presidents on Mount Rushmore? Here's the full lineup with why they made the cut:
| President | Role in History | Carving Position | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 George Washington | First U.S. President, Revolutionary War leader | Leftmost figure | His nose is 21 feet long - longer than a school bus! |
| 2 Thomas Jefferson | Author of Declaration of Independence, Louisiana Purchase | Left of center | Originally carved to Washington's right, but rock flaws forced relocation |
| 3 Theodore Roosevelt | Conservation champion, Panama Canal builder | Right of center | Only president sculpted with glasses (shown as raised rock) |
| 4 Abraham Lincoln | Preserved the Union, abolished slavery | Rightmost figure | His mole was carefully carved despite being barely visible |
Honestly, Roosevelt's inclusion surprised me at first - he wasn't a founding father. But after learning how much he did for national parks, it clicked. Still, I've met folks who argue Andrew Jackson should've gotten the spot instead.
Why These Four Presidents?
The sculptor Gutzon Borglum personally selected who is carved on Mount Rushmore based on:
- Nation Building (Washington and Jefferson)
- Preservation (Lincoln)
- Development (Roosevelt)
Funny enough, Borglum initially planned to carve Western heroes like Lewis and Clark instead of presidents. Thank goodness he changed his mind - can you imagine explaining to tourists who is on Mount Rushmore if it were random explorers?
My guide Tom, a Lakota Sioux elder, shared an uncomfortable truth during my last visit: while millions celebrate who is on Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills remain sacred stolen land to Native tribes. Puts the monument in a different light.
Visiting Mount Rushmore: Everything You Need to Know
Wanna see who is on Mount Rushmore in person? Here's the nitty-gritty:
Pro Tip: Skip the summer crowds by visiting in September - weather's perfect and you'll actually get parking without circling for an hour. Trust me, July visits feel like being canned sardines.
| Essential Info | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751 | Use official NPS directions - GPS often fails |
| Operating Hours | 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Grounds) 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Visitor Center) |
Open 365 days/year |
| Parking Fee | $10 per vehicle (valid 1 year) | No entrance fee, only parking charge |
| Best Viewing Times | Sunrise or after 7 PM | Morning light hits Washington perfectly |
| Night Lighting | May - September only | Starts at dusk - bring a jacket! |
Don't make my rookie mistake - pack snacks! The cafeteria prices are criminal ($6 for a limp hot dog). Bring water too, especially if hiking the Presidential Trail.
What Else to Do Besides Staring at Faces
Beyond learning who is on Mount Rushmore, consider these activities:
- Sculptor's Studio Tour - See Borglum's original scale model
- Avenue of Flags - Perfect photo op with all 56 state/territory flags
- Evening Lighting Ceremony - Surprisingly moving tribute (summer only)
- Blackberry Ice Cream - Made using Jefferson's original recipe (worth the hype)
My favorite hidden gem? The viewpoint near the gift shop restrooms - somehow everyone walks right past it but you get Washington's profile perfectly framed against the hills.
Controversies and Untold Stories
Nobody told me this before my first visit, but Mount Rushmore's history is messy. The mountain's original name was Six Grandfathers, sacred to Lakota people. The government seized the land after the Great Sioux War despite treaty protections.
Even the sculptor Borglum was controversial - he had KKK connections before this project. And get this: workers were paid $1.25/hour dangling 500 feet up without safety nets! Over 400 people risked their lives to carve who is on Mount Rushmore, yet miraculously nobody died.
Abandoned Plans: Borglum originally wanted to carve the presidents down to their waists and add a giant inscription of major historical events. Funding shortages and his death in 1941 left the monument unfinished.
Crazy Facts You Probably Didn't Know
- The original design included Susan B. Anthony but Congress vetoed it
- 90% carved with dynamite - only details done by hand
- Jefferson's head was blasted off and restarted after cracking
- There's a secret chamber behind Lincoln's head (Hall of Records)
That hidden room? It contains porcelain panels with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Borglum envisioned this as a message to future civilizations about who is on Mount Rushmore and why they mattered. Pretty cool time capsule idea, even if it's never been publicly accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Mount Rushmore meant to have more presidents?
Nope. Borglum always planned four figures. But fun fact - there's space on the mountain where other presidents could theoretically fit.
Why is Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore?
Borglum admired Roosevelt's conservation legacy. Teddy created the National Park Service and protected 230 million acres of land. Still, some historians argue James Madison was more deserving.
How much did the monument cost?
Total costs were about $1 million (equivalent to $18 million today). Funding dried up during the Great Depression, forcing simplification of plans.
Can you climb Mount Rushmore?
Absolutely not! It's illegal and dangerous. The closest you can get is the base via the Presidential Trail. Rangers will fine trespassers - saw it happen last summer.
Who decides who is on Mount Rushmore?
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum personally selected the four faces after considering over 20 candidates. Congress approved the overall project but didn't choose specific presidents.
Beyond the Faces: Understanding the Full Picture
When you ask who is on Mount Rushmore, you're really asking about American mythology. Washington represents revolution. Jefferson embodies expansion. Lincoln signifies unity. Roosevelt stands for progress. Together, they tell a story we want to believe about ourselves.
But after three visits, I've realized the monument feels different depending on when you go. Sunset casts long shadows that make the expressions solemn. Rainy days give them a melancholy vibe. Summer mornings make them look almost cheerful. Maybe that's why people keep coming - we see what we need to see in those granite faces.
The greatest surprise? Learning that the Lakota people have been carving their own larger monument nearby - the Crazy Horse Memorial. Been under construction since 1948 and still unfinished. Makes you wonder how future generations will view both sites.
Final Thoughts from My Visits
Look, is Mount Rushmore worth visiting? Absolutely. Should it be your only stop in the Black Hills? Heck no. Pair it with Badlands National Park and Custer State Park for the full experience.
And when you're standing there squinting at Roosevelt's glasses, remember this: Borglum once said the monument wasn't about the presidents' personal lives, but about "the moments they represent." Whether you love it or hate it, those moments shaped a nation.
Still wondering who is on Mount Rushmore? Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln. But now you know why they're there - and that matters way more than just memorizing names.
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