The Great Faces of America

After visiting so many natural wonders, I decided to check out this man-made marvel in South Dakota. Mount Rushmore is a sculpture carved into the granite face of a mountain, depicting the faces of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The sculptures were completed in 1941 after 14 years of work by 400 workers. The sheer size of the heads ensures an impressive sight, especially in the right light. The history behind it was something that really caught my attention! The monument was constructed as a way to promote tourism to the area and today the area surrounding the monument has a museum, gift shops, and trails to learn more about the history and nature of this area. I was impressed by the National Memorial Act of 1925 allowing for the establishment of Mount Rushmore as a national memorial to promote tourism in South Dakota.