Mount Rushmore

Just a few more comments on things I found interesting. (Click on pictures to enlarge!)

After viewing the sculptor's original vision, you can actually see where workers started details like Washington's coat and a little bit of Lincoln's collar before time and money ran out. Funny thing is, you see the faces so many times you don't even notice. After learning that, those details popped out for me! Look again:

Also, they originally started Jefferson to the left of Washington and blasted off his partially-finished face when it wasn't turning out right. You can't tell at all.

Fully 90% of the carving was done with dynamite blasts. No workers ever died in the project.

Workers used huge plaster casts to help guide them. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see one lowered next to a face in progress.

The sculptor used a "pointing system" -- like a HUGE protractor -- to keep things in line.

Finally, although you only ever see the faces, Mount Rushmore actually has a very nice monument surrounding it. Here's the main entrance:


And as you go closer, there is a neat ceremonial walk. Pillars display every state flag (peeking out in the picture). The states are carved on the pillars in alphabetical order, one on each side of each pillar. The date the state joined the Union is listed, and the flag is hung above.


There's also a half-mile trail looping around the monument with more great picture opportunities. A nice short walk for us through some of the natural beauty of South Dakota.

P.S. TR actually wears glasses! Check out this awesome close-up pic from Simon: