| Mount Rushmore National Memorial | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) | |
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| Location | Pennington County, South Dakota, USA |
| Nearest city | Keystone, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 1,278. Pennington County is a County located in the US state of South Dakota. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Keystone is a town in the Black Hills region of Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. 45 acres (5. 17 km²) |
| Established | March 3, 1925 |
| Visitors | 2,757,971 (in 2006) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a monumental granite sculpture by Gutzon Borglum, located within the United States Presidential Memorial that represents the first 150 years of the history of the United States of America with 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents: George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation Keystone is a town in the Black Hills region of Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. South Dakota ( is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. (John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum ( March 25, 1867 &ndash March 6, 1941) was an American artist and sculptor famous The Presidential memorials in the United States honor the various Presidents of the United States and seek to perpetuate their legacies The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal [1] The entire memorial covers 1,278. 45 acres (5. 17 km²)[2] and is 5,725 feet (1,745 m) above sea level. [3] It is managed by the National Park Service, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior. The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation The United States Department of the Interior ( DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally The memorial attracts approximately two million people annually. [4]
Contents |
History
Originally known to the Lakota Sioux as Six Grandfathers, the mountain was renamed after Charles E. Rushmore, a prominent New York lawyer, during an expedition in 1885. The Lakota (laˈkˣota (also Teton, Tetonwan) are a Native American tribe Sioux (pronounced SUE are a Native American and First Nations people Charles E Rushmore (born December 2, 1857 - died October 31, 1931) was an American Businessman and Attorney New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous [5] At first, the project of carving Rushmore was undertaken to increase tourism in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The Black Hills ( Pahá Sápa in Lakota, Moˀȯhta-voˀhonáaeva in Cheyenne) are a small isolated Mountain range rising from the After long negotiations involving a Congressional delegation and President Calvin Coolidge, the project received Congressional approval. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses John Calvin Coolidge Jr (July 4 1872 January 5 1933 was the thirtieth President of the United States (1923–1929 The carving started in 1927, and ended in 1941 with a few injuries but no deaths. [4]
As Six Grandfathers, the mountain was part of the route that Lakota leader Black Elk took in a spiritual journey that culminated at Harney Peak. Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa (c December 1863 &ndash August 17 or August 19, 1950 (sources differ was a famous Wichasha Harney Peak is the highest Mountain in South Dakota, located in Black Hills National Forest. Following a series of military campaigns from 1876 to 1877, the United States asserted territorial control over the area, a claim that is still disputed based on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie (see Controversy below). The Treaty of Fort Laramie (also called the Sioux Treaty of 1868) was an agreement between the United States and the Lakota nation Yanktonai Among white American settlers, the peak was known variously as Cougar Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Slaughterhouse Mountain, and Keystone Cliffs. It was named Mount Rushmore during a prospecting expedition by Rushmore, David Swanzey (whose wife Carrie was the sister of author Laura Ingalls Wilder), and Bill Challis. Caroline Celestia "Carrie" Ingalls Swanzey ( August 3, 1870 &ndash June 2, 1946) was the third child of Charles and Laura Ingalls Wilder ( February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American Author, who wrote the Little House series [6]
Historian Doane Robinson conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore in 1923 to promote tourism in South Dakota. Jonah LeRoy "Doane" Robinson ( October 19 1856 - 1946 was a state historian of South Dakota who conceived of the idea for the Mount Rushmore Tourism in the United States is a large industry that serves millions of international and domestic tourists yearly In 1924, Robinson persuaded sculptor Gutzon Borglum to travel to the Black Hills region to ensure that the carving could be accomplished. (John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum ( March 25, 1867 &ndash March 6, 1941) was an American artist and sculptor famous Borglum had been involved in sculpting the Confederate Memorial Carving, a massive bas-relief memorial to Confederate leaders on Stone Mountain in Georgia, but was in disagreement with the officials there. This article is about Stone Mountain in Georgia USA For other uses see Stone Mountain (disambiguation. A bas-relief (baʁəljɛf in French; French for "low relief" derived from the Italian basso rilievo) or low relief is a Sculpture The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 This article is about Stone Mountain in Georgia USA For other uses see Stone Mountain (disambiguation. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule [6] The original plan was to perform the carvings in granite pillars known as the Needles. Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. The Needles of the Black Hills of South Dakota are a region of fantastically eroded Granite pillars towers and spires However, Borglum realized that that plan was impossible because the eroded Needles were too thin to support sculpting. He chose Mount Rushmore, a grander spot, partly because it faced southeast and enjoyed maximum exposure to the sun. Borglum said upon seeing Mount Rushmore, "America will march along that skyline. "[7] Congress authorized the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission on March 3, 1925. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [7] President Coolidge insisted that along with Washington, two Republicans and one Democrat be portrayed. [8]
Between October 4, 1927, and October 31, 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers sculpted the colossal 60-foot (18 m) carvings of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150 years of American history. Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal These presidents were selected by Borglum because of their role in preserving the Republic and expanding its territory. [7][9] The image of Thomas Jefferson was originally intended to appear in the area at Washington's right, but after the work there was begun, the rock was found unsuitable, so the work to that point on the Jefferson figure was dynamited, and a new figure was sculpted to Washington's left. [1]
In 1933, the National Park Service took Mount Rushmore under its jurisdiction. Engineer Julian Spotts helped with the project by improving its infrastructure. For example, he had the tram upgraded so that it could reach the top of Mount Rushmore for the ease of workers. By July 4, 1934, Washington's face had been completed and was dedicated. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The face of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated in 1936, and the face of Abraham Lincoln was dedicated on September 17, 1937. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1937, a bill was introduced in Congress to add the head of civil-rights leader Susan B. Anthony, but a rider was passed on an appropriations bill requiring that federal funds be used to finish only those heads that had already been started at that time. Susan Brownell Anthony ( February 15, 1820 &ndash March 13, 1906) was a prominent American Civil rights leader who played In legislative practice a rider is an additional provision annexed to a bill under the consideration of a Legislature, having little connection with the subject matter [10] In 1939, the face of Theodore Roosevelt was dedicated.
The Sculptor's Studio—a display of unique plaster models and tools related to the sculpting—was built in 1939 under the direction of Borglum. Borglum died from an embolism in March 1941. In Medicine, an embolism occurs when an object (the embolus, plural emboli) migrates from one part of the Body (through circulation His son, Lincoln Borglum, continued the project. Lincoln de la Mothe Borglum ( April 9, 1912 &ndash January 27, 1986) was an American Sculptor, Photographer, Originally, it was planned that the figures would be carved from head to waist,[11] but insufficient funding forced the carving to end. [7] Borglum had also planned a massive panel in the shape of the Louisiana Purchase commemorating in eight-foot-tall gilded letters the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Louisiana Purchase, and seven other territorial acquisitions from Alaska to Texas to the Panama Canal Zone. For the film see Louisiana Purchase (film. The Louisiana Purchase (French Vente de la Louisiane "Louisiana Sale" The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4 1776 announcing that the thirteen American colonies then The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States. The Alaska Purchase (otherwise known as Seward's Folly or Seward's Icebox) by the United States from the Russian Empire occurred in 1867 at the behest The Texas Annexation of 1845 was the voluntary Annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States of America as Texas, the The Panama Canal Zone (Zona del Canal de Panamá was a 553 square mile (1432 km² territory inside of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally [9]
The entire project cost US$989,992. 32. [12] Notably for a project of such size, no workers died during the carving. [13]
On October 15, 1966, Mount Rushmore was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of An essay from Nebraska student William Andrew Burkett, selected as the winner for the college-age group in 1934, was placed on the Entablature on a bronze plate in 1973. Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and [10] In 1991, President George H. W. Bush officially dedicated Mount Rushmore. George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993
In a canyon behind the carved faces is a chamber, cut only 70 feet (21 m) into the rock, containing a vault with sixteen porcelain enamel panels. The panels include the text of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, biographies of the four presidents and Borglum, and the history of the U. S. The chamber was created as the entranceway to a planned "Hall of Records"; the vault was installed in 1998. [14]
Ten years of redevelopment work culminated with the completion of extensive visitor facilities and sidewalks in 1998, such as a Visitor Center, Museum, and the Presidential Trail. Maintenance of the memorial annually requires mountain climbers to monitor and seal cracks. The memorial is not cleaned to remove lichens. Lichens (ˈlaɪkən or /lɪtʃən/ are symbiotic associations of a Fungus (the mycobiont with a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont also known as It has been cleaned only once. On July 8, 2005, Kärcher GmbH, a German manufacturer of cleaning machines, conducted a free cleanup operation; the washing used pressurized water at over 200 °F (93 °C). Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co KG is a German manufacturer of cleaning systems and equipment known for its high-pressure cleaners [15]
Controversy
Mount Rushmore is controversial among Native Americans because the United States seized the area from the Lakota tribe after the Black Hills War in 1876–77. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States The Lakota (laˈkˣota (also Teton, Tetonwan) are a Native American tribe The Black Hills War (also known as the Great Sioux War or Little Big Horn Campaign) was a series of conflicts between the Lakota ( Sioux) The Treaty of Fort Laramie from 1868 had previously granted the Black Hills to the Lakota in perpetuity. The Treaty of Fort Laramie (also called the Sioux Treaty of 1868) was an agreement between the United States and the Lakota nation Yanktonai The Lakota consider the hills sacred, although historians believe the Lakota also gained control of the hills by force, displacing the Cheyenne in 1776. Cheyenne are a Native American nation of the Great Plains. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taa'e (more commonly Members of the American Indian Movement led an occupation of the monument in 1971, naming it "Mount Crazy Horse". The American Indian Movement ( AIM) is an Indian Activist organization in the United States. An occupation, as an act of Protest, is the entry into and holding of a building space or symbolic site Among the participants were young activists, grandparents, children and Lakota holy man John Fire Lame Deer, who planted a prayer staff atop the mountain. This entry is about the Lakota holy man for the town see Lame Deer Montana. Lame Deer said the staff formed a symbolic shroud over the presidents' faces "which shall remain dirty until the treaties concerning the Black Hills are fulfilled. "[16]
In 2004, the first Native American superintendent of the park was appointed. Gerard Baker has stated that he will open up more "avenues of interpretation", and that the four presidents are "only one avenue and only one focus. "[17]
The Crazy Horse Memorial is being constructed elsewhere in the Black Hills to commemorate a famous Native American leader and as a response to Mount Rushmore. The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain Monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the form of Crazy Horse, an Oglala It is intended to be larger than Mount Rushmore and has the support of Lakota chiefs; the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation has rejected offers of federal funds. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. However, this memorial is likewise the subject of controversy, especially within the Native American community.
The Monument also holds controversy in the alleged idea of an underlying theme of racial superiority legitimized by the idea of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean. The mountains have been carved with Borglum's choice of four presidents active during the time of the acquisition of Indian land.
Ecology
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The flora and fauna of Mount Rushmore are similar to those of the rest of the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The Black Hills ( Pahá Sápa in Lakota, Moˀȯhta-voˀhonáaeva in Cheyenne) are a small isolated Mountain range rising from the Birds including the turkey vulture, bald eagle, hawk, and meadowlark fly around Mount Rushmore, occasionally making nesting spots in the ledges of the mountain. The Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, also known in some North American regions as the Turkey Buzzard (or just "buzzard" is a Bird The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a Bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and The term hawk can be used in several ways In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the Species in the Subfamily Meadowlarks are Birds belonging to the genus Sturnella in the New World family Icteridae This genus includes seven species A bird nest is the spot in which a Bird lays and incubates its eggs and raises its young Smaller birds, including songbirds, nuthatches, and woodpeckers, inhabit the surrounding pine forests. The nuthatches are a Genus, Sitta, of small Passerine Birds belonging to the Wallcreeper, constitute the The woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks are a family, Picidae, of Near-passerine Birds. Terrestrial mammals include the mouse, chipmunk, squirrel, skunk, porcupine, raccoon, beaver, badger, coyote, bighorn sheep, and bobcat. A mouse (plural mice) is a small Animal that belongs to one Chipmunk is the common name for any small Squirrel -like Rodent species of the genus Tamias in the family Sciuridae. A squirrel is one of the many small or medium-sized Rodents in the family Sciuridae. Skunks (sometimes referred to as polecats) are Mammals best known for their ability to excrete a strong foul-smelling odor. Porcupines are Rodents with a coat of sharp spines or quills that defend them from predators The raccoon ( Procyon lotor) (sometimes spelt as racoon) also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, northern raccoon Beavers are two primarily nocturnal semi-aquatic species of Rodent, one native to North America and one to Europe Badger is the Common name for any animal of three subfamilies which belong to the family Mustelidae: the same Mammal family as the The coyote (kaɪˈoʊti ˈkaɪoʊt ( Canis latrans) also known as the prairie wolf, is a Mammal of the order Carnivora Bighorn Sheep ( Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep in North America and Siberia with large horns which can weigh up to. The Bobcat ( Lynx rufus) is a North American Mammal of the cat family Felidae. In addition, several species of frogs and snakes inhabit the region. This article is about the block cipher algorithm For the ultrafast laser pulse measurement technique see Frequency-resolved optical gating. A snake is an elongate Reptile of the suborder Serpentes Like all reptiles snakes are covered in scales. The two brooks in the memorial, the Grizzly Bear and Starling Basin brooks, support fish such as the longnose dace and the brook trout. The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, (sometimes called the eastern brook trout, Adirondack coaster lake trout) is a Species of Fish [18] Some endemic animals are not indigenous to the area; the mountain goats are descended from goats which were a gift from Canada to Custer State Park in 1924 but later escaped. The Mountain Goat ( Oreamnos americanus) also known as the Rocky Mountain Goat, is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Custer State Park is a State park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, USA [19]
At lower elevations, coniferous trees, mainly the Ponderosa pine, surround most of the monument, providing shade from the sun. Ponderosa Pine ( Pinus ponderosa) sometimes called Bull Pine or Western Yellow Pine is a widespread and variable Pine native to western North Other trees include the bur oak, the Black Hills spruce, and the cottonwood. The Bur Oak, ( Quercus macrocarpa) sometimes spelled Burr Oak, is a species of Oak in the white oak section Quercus sect Spruce refers to Trees of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of Coniferous Evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae The cottonwoods are three species of Poplars in the section Aegiros of the genus Populus, native to North America, Europe and western Nine species of shrubs live near Mount Rushmore. There is also a wide variety of wildflowers, including especially the snapdragon, sunflower, and violet. The sunflower ( Helianthus annuus) is an Annual plant in the family Asteraceae and native to the Americas, with a large flowering Viola, commonly called Violets, is a Genus of Flowering plants in the family Violaceae, with around 400-500 species distributed Towards higher elevations, plant life becomes sparser. [19] However, only approximately five percent of the plant species found in the Black Hills are indigenous to the region. [20]
Though the area receives about 18 inches (460 mm) of precipitation on average per year, alone it is not enough to support the abundant animal and plant life. Trees and other plants help to control surface runoff. Surface runoff is a term used to describe when soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess Water, from Rain, Snowmelt, or other sources flows Dikes, seeps, and springs help to dam up water that is flowing downhill, providing watering spots for animals. In addition, stones like sandstone and limestone help to hold groundwater, creating aquifers. Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. Limestone is a Sedimentary rock composed largely of the Mineral Calcite ( Calcium carbonate: CaCO3 Groundwater is Water located beneath the Ground surface in Soil pore spaces and in the Fractures of lithologic formations An aquifer is an underground layer of Water -bearing Permeable rock or unconsolidated materials ( Gravel, Sand, Silt, or Clay [21]
Forest fires occur in the Ponderosa forests surrounding Mount Rushmore around every 27 years. A wildfire, also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, brush fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, Peat fire, This was determined from fire scars in tree core samples. These help to clean forest debris located on the ground. Large conflagrations are rare, but have occurred in the past. [22]
Geology
Mount Rushmore is largely composed of granite. Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. The memorial is carved on the northwest margin of the Harney Peak granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota, so the geologic formations of the heart of the Black Hills region are also evident at Mount Rushmore. Harney Peak is the highest Mountain in South Dakota, located in Black Hills National Forest. A batholith (from Greek bathos, depth + lithos, rock is a large emplacement of Igneous intrusive (also called plutonic rock that forms The batholith magma intruded into the pre-existing mica schist rocks during the Precambrian period about 1. Magma (Plurals magmas and magmata) is molten rock that sometimes forms beneath the surface of the Earth (or any other Terrestrial planet The word "mica" is thought to be derived from the Latin word la micare, "glitteren" in reference to the brilliant appearance of this mineral (especially The schists form a group of medium-grade Metamorphic rocks chiefly notable for the preponderance of lamellar Minerals such as Micas chlorite The Precambrian ( Pre-Cambrian) is an informal name for the supereon comprising the eons of the Geologic timescale that came before the current 6 billion years ago. [23] However, the uneven cooling of the molten rock caused the formation of both fine and coarse-grained minerals, including quartz, feldspar, muscovite, and biotite. Quartz (from German) is the most abundant Mineral in the Earth 's Continental crust (although Feldspar is more common in Feldspar is the name of a group of rock-forming Minerals which make up as much as 60% of the Earth 's crust. Muscovite (also known as Common Mica, Isinglass, or Potash mica) is a phyllosilicate Mineral of Aluminium Biotite is a common phyllosilicate Mineral within the Mica group with the approximate chemical formula K(Mg Fe3AlSi3O10(F Fractures in the granite were sealed by pegmatite dikes. Pegmatite is a very coarse-grained Igneous rock that has a grain size of 20 mm or more such rocks are referred to as pegmatitic. A dike or dyke in Geology is a type of Sheet intrusion referring to any geologic body that cuts Discordantly ' across planar The light-colored streaks in the presidents' foreheads are due to these dikes.
The Black Hills granites were exposed to erosion during the late Precambrian, but were buried by sandstones and other sediments during the Cambrian Period. Erosion is the carrying away or displacement of solids ( Sediment, Soil, rock and other particles usually by the agents of currents such as wind Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. The Cambrian is a geologic period and system that began about Ma (million years ago at the end of the Proterozoic eon and ended about Ma with The area remained buried throughout the Paleozoic Era, but was exposed again to erosion during the tectonic uplift about 70 million years ago. The Paleozoic or Palaeozoic Era (from the Greek palaio (παλαιο "old" and zoe (ζωη "life" meaning "ancient life" Plate tectonics (from Greek τέκτων tektōn "builder" or "mason" describes the large scale motions of Earth 's Lithosphere [23] The Black Hills area was uplifted as an elongated geologic dome which towered some 20,000 feet (6,100 m) above sea level, but erosion wore the area down to only 4,000 feet (1,200 m). [24] The subsequent natural erosion of this mountain range allowed the carvings by stripping the granite of the overlying sediments and the softer adjacent schists. The contact between the granite and darker schist is viewable just below the sculpture of Washington.
Borglum selected Mount Rushmore as the site for several reasons. The rock of the mountain is composed of smooth, fine-grained granite. The durable granite erodes only 1 inch (25 mm) every 10,000 years, indicating that it was sturdy enough to support sculpting. [7] In addition, it was the tallest mountain in the region, looming to a height of 5,725 feet (1,745 m) above sea level. [3] Because the mountain faces the southeast, the workers also had the advantage of sunlight for most of the day.
Tourism
Tourism is South Dakota's second-largest industry, with Mount Rushmore being its number one tourist attraction. In 2004, over two million visitors traveled to the memorial. [4] The site is also home to the final concerts of Rushmore Music Camp and attracts many visitors over the week of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American Motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota each first
The Lincoln Borglum Museum is located in the memorial. It features two 125-seat theaters that show a 13-minute movie about Mount Rushmore. One of the best viewpoints is located at Grandview Terrace, above the Museum. The Presidential Trail, a walking trail and boardwalk, starts at Grandview Terrace and winds through the Ponderosa pine forests to the Sculptor's Studio, providing close-up views of the memorial. Ponderosa Pine ( Pinus ponderosa) sometimes called Bull Pine or Western Yellow Pine is a widespread and variable Pine native to western North The Sculptor's studio was built by Gutzon Borglum, and features discussion about the construction of the monument as well as the tools used. (John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum ( March 25, 1867 &ndash March 6, 1941) was an American artist and sculptor famous The amphitheater also has a 30-minute program at dusk that describes the construction of the memorial. Following that, the mountain is illuminated for two hours. [25]
In popular culture
- Further information: Mount Rushmore in popular culture
Notes and references
- ^ Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Because of its fame as a Monument, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota has appeared frequently in works of Fiction, and has been discussed or depicted December 6, 2005. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 60 SD Web Traveler, Inc. URL accessed on April 7, 2006. Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ McGeveran, William A. Jr. et al (2004). The Word Almanac and Book of Facts 2004. New York: World Almanac Education Group, Inc. ISBN 0-88687-910-8.
- ^ a b Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (November 1, 2004). Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Peakbagger. com. URL accessed on March 13, 2006. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b c Mount Rushmore facts, National Park Service.
- ^ Belanger, Ian A. et al. Mt. Rushmore- presidents on the rocks. URL accessed on March 13, 2006. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b Keystone Area Historical Society Keystone Characters (accessed October 3, 2006). Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b c d e Carving History (October 2, 2004). Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " National Park Service.
- ^ Fite, Gilbert C. Mount Rushmore (May 2003). ISBN 0-9646798-5-X, the standard scholarly study.
- ^ a b Albert Boime, "Patriarchy Fixed in Stone: Gutzon Borglum's 'Mount Rushmore'," American Art, Vol. 5, No. 1/2. (Winter - Spring, 1991), pp. 142–67.
- ^ a b American Experience "Timeline: Mount Rushmore" (2002). URL accessed on March 20, 2006. Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
- ^ Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Tourism in South Dakota. Laura R. Ahmann. URL accessed on March 19, 2006. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Outdoorplaces. com. URL accessed on June 7, 2006. Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Hall of Records. Mount Rushmore National Memorial web site. National Park Service (2004-06-14). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Retrieved on 2007-07-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples
- ^ Mount Rushmore faces finally washed (July 30, 2005). Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. CNN via Google cache. URL accessed on December 7, 2006. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Matthew Glass, "Producing Patriotic Inspiration at Mount Rushmore," Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 62, No. 2. (Summer, 1994), pp. 265–283.
- ^ First American Indian heads shrine to democracy, Indian Country Today. Accessed on April 3, 2006
- ^ Nature & Science- Animals National Park Service. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. URL accessed on April 1, 2006. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b Mount Rushmore- Flora and Fauna. American Park Network. URL accessed on March 16, 2006. Events 597 BC - Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Nature & Science- Mount Rushmore. National Park Service. URL accessed on March 13, 2006. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Nature & Science- Groundwater. National Park Service. URL accessed on April 1, 2006. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Nature & Science- Forests. National Park Service. URL accessed on April 1, 2006. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b Geologic Activity. National Park Service.
- ^ Irvin, James R. Great Plains Gallery (2001). URL accessed on March 16, 2006. Events 597 BC - Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Park Overview American Park Network. URL accessed on April 1, 2006. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
Further reading
- The National Parks: Index 2001–2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior. The United States Department of the Interior ( DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally
- Taliaferro, John. Great White Fathers: The Story of the Obsessive Quest to Create Mount Rushmore. New York: PublicAffairs, c2002. Puts the creation of the monument into a historical and cultural context.
- Larner, Jesse (Jesse Larner). Jesse Larner (born November 2, 1963) is a New York-based writer on politics and culture Mount Rushmore: An Icon Reconsidered New York: Nation Books, 2002.
External links
- Official Site
- The Making of Mount Rushmore
- Climate
- A Monumental Achievement
- Google Map Link
- Matthew Buckingham, The Six Grandfathers, Paha Sapa, in the Year 502,002 C.E.
- Mount Rushmore Cam
Dictionary
Mount Rushmore
-proper noun
- A famous mountain in the Black Hills with the heads of four US presidents carved into it.
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