Mt. Rushmore
 

There are four U.S. Presidents on this National Monument George Washington Thomas Jefferson Theodore Roosevelt Abraham Lincoln The carving of the monument started in 1927. Sculpter Gutzon Borglum is the one who drilled into the 5,725 foot mountain carving the faces which cost about $1 millon. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the memorial in 1927, commencing 14 years of work; only 6 1/2 years were spent on actual carving. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is host to almost three million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. They come to marvel at the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and to learn about the birth, growth, development and the preservation of our country. Over the decades, Mount Rushmore has grown in fame as a symbol of America- a symbol of freedom and hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds. The site is opened year-round on Highway 244 and is 35 miles from the airport of Rapid City. There is a Sculptor's studio, Lincoln Visitor Center, avenue of flags, nightly lighting ceremony, gift shop, ice cream, hiking trails, and Carver's Cafe available year-round for your enjoyment. For more wonderful information on Mt. Rushmore, go to the SD travel/tourism website or the National Park Service website.