Mount Rushmore National Park

South Dakota is a midwestern state, once home to the Lakota and Dakota Sioux (pronounced like “soo”) American Indian tribes, and it is from those Indians that the state got its name. The majority of South Dakota’s land is covered by the Great Plains, a large area of flat land with few trees, and the Black Hills mountain range highlights the western part of the state.

Because of its north-central location and low population, a plan to bring tourism to South Dakota turned into something spectacular. The idea, conceived in 1927, was to symbolize America by carving large figures into the Black Hills mountains. These sculptures were originally planned to be Indian leaders and American explorers who shaped early America but were later changed to four of our greatest presidents, those who represent the first 150 years of American history:

George Washington, our first president, represents the BIRTH of our country.

Thomas Jefferson symbolizes the EXPANSION of the nation.

Theodore Roosevelt represents the DEVELOPMENT of our country.

Abraham Lincoln symbolizes the PRESERVATION of the nation in confronting the challenges of the Civil War.

Mount Rushmore was completed in 1941 and is visited by millions of people every year. Touring famous states like New York and California are unforgettable experiences and there is a lot to see between the coasts too. You can discover the American West, the history and life of American Indians, and the natural wonders of South Dakota. Mount Rushmore is just one fine example.