Mount Rushmore before the faces were carved into it.
Four presidential faces peer down: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Though it is primarily referred to as Mount Rushmore now, this wasnt always the case.
Mount Rushmore before the faces were carved into it. (Photo:National Park Service)
History of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore was, by any measure, an impressive architectural feat.
From1927 to 1941, workers blasted rock away with dynamite, chisels, and drills.
Dynamite was strategically planted in the rock to detonate away unwanted material.
Photo:National Park Service
The rough shape was then perfected by a technique calledhoneycombing.
A bumper tool smoothed on the finishing touches.
Even during construction, Americans were interested in Mount Rushmore.
Photo:National Park Service
The National Park Service reports that early visitors sought to take home pieces of the granite mountain.
The site quickly drew tourists from around the country.
It evenfeaturedin Alfred Hitchcocks 1959 thrillerNorth by Northwest.
Photo:National Park Service
So what is the more complicated story?
The Black Hills regiona beautiful and unique landscape in South Dakotawas home to many.
Like many treaties made to Indigenous people, this promise did not last long.
Photo:National Park Service
The United States officially broke their treaty in 1877.
The Six Grandfathers were eventually carved anddubbed Mount Rushmoreafter a New York lawyer.
Yet still today,protests and calls to returnthe stollen sacred land ring strong.
Photo:National Park Service
These images of Mount Rushmore before and during its construction show a view hard to imagine today.
Photo:National Park Service
Photo:National Park Service
