What Is Mount Rushmore? Why Was It Made?

• Mount Rushmore was made to have a way to attract tourists to the state
  • Currently, Mount Rushmore has an average of 2.5 million visitors per year.
• Mount Rushmore was also made to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States.

Who’s On It?

• In order, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are the first four people on Mount Rushmore, with the addition of Benjamin Black Elk.
• The first person on Mount Rushmore is George Washington.
  • One cool fact about him is that Washington led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War. He is known as the “Father of His Country” for securing American independence.

• The following person is Thomas Jefferson.
  • One well-known fact about him is that he Wrote the Declaration of Independence: Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which he wrote as a leading figure in the fight for American independence. 

• The third person is Theodore Roosevelt.
• • A neat fact about him is he was blind in one eye after a boxing injury in the White House.

• The final person is Abraham Lincoln.
  • Some facts about him are: 
  • He was a Wrestler.
  • He was the tallest president at 6 ‘4.
  • He loved oysters.
  • He was the first president to have a beard
  • He was the first president born outside of the original 13  colonies.

• According to conspiracy theorists, a fifth face was supposed to be on Mount Rushmore, Named Benjamin Black Elk.
  • Ben Black Elk was said to be the fifth face because he dedicated 27 summers to helping preserve Lakota culture.
  • It was said he was supposed to be on Mount Rushmore because of a wooden bust of him being displayed in the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, South Dakota.