The origins and meaning of Mount Rushmore

Key Concepts

• Mount Rushmore: A monumental sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota, featuring the heads of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
• Don Robinson: A South Dakota state historian who conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore as an economic stimulus for the state.
• Gutzon Borglum: The sculptor hired by Don Robinson, whose vision for the monument evolved from representing the American West to focusing on key American presidents.
• Economic Diversification: The strategy of developing multiple industries to reduce reliance on a single sector, which was Don Robinson's primary motivation for the Mount Rushmore project.
• Westward Expansion: The historical movement of people and settlement across the North American continent, a theme initially considered for the monument.
• Native American Communities: Indigenous peoples of North America, whose relationship with the U.S. government and westward expansion is a complex and often fraught aspect of American history.
• Polygamy: The practice of having more than one spouse simultaneously, a practice that influenced Gutzon Borglum's family history and his father's migration.
• Auguste Rodin: A renowned French sculptor who influenced Gutzon Borglum's artistic development.

Mount Rushmore: Origins and Evolving Meanings

Mount Rushmore, a national monument attracting over two million visitors annually, is a symbol of American greatness. However, its 100-year history is layered with achievement and fault, reflecting the complexity of America itself. Matthew Davis, in his new book "A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore," explores these multifaceted origins and meanings.

The Genesis of the Idea: An Economic Imperative

Contrary to popular belief, the federal government was not the initial driving force behind Mount Rushmore. The concept originated with Don Robinson, a South Dakota state historian in the 1920s. Robinson was deeply concerned about the collapsing economy of South Dakota, which was exacerbated by the aftermath of World War I and the decline of agricultural markets. South Dakota was experiencing economic hardship akin to a pre-Depression era, with bank foreclosures and farm repossessions.

Robinson identified tourism as a potential elixir for the state's economy. He observed the growing trend of automobile tourism and believed that carving sculptures into the Black Hills could attract these travelers. His initial vision was to create figures representative of the American West, a concept that was more inclusive than the final monument.

The Shift in Vision: From Tourism to Politics

When Don Robinson hired Gutzon Borglum as the sculptor, the project's focus began to shift from purely economic and tourism-driven to a more political one. While economics remained a factor, the political aspect gained prominence. Robinson's original idea included figures representing not only key white American figures of western expansion but also native peoples, such as the Lakota leader Red Cloud, Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea. However, the project ultimately evolved to feature the iconic presidential heads. It is noted that Robinson was not necessarily upset by this direction and initially held great awe and respect for Borglum's work.

Gutzon Borglum: The Artist and His Complex Past

Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, was a fascinating and complex character. Born to a Danish immigrant Mormon family in what is now Idaho, his family's westward migration was influenced by the increasing illegality of polygamy as they moved east. Borglum's father practiced polygamy, being married to two sisters, one of whom was Gutzon's birth mother. When the family settled in the Midwest where polygamy was illegal, Gutzon's mother was asked to leave the family, a traumatic experience for the five-year-old Gutzon, whom he never saw again.

Despite this difficult childhood, Borglum developed into a passionate artist. He moved to Los Angeles as a teenager, honed his artistic skills, and spent about a decade in Europe, where he studied and learned significantly from the renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Upon returning to the United States in the early 20th century, Borglum declared his intention to be an American sculptor.

Conclusion: A Monument of Contradictions

Mount Rushmore, born from an economic necessity and shaped by the artistic vision of Gutzon Borglum, embodies the ambition, complexity, and contradictions of America. Its story intertwines themes of westward expansion, the fraught relationships with Native American communities, and the nation's pursuit of ideals like democracy and liberty, all carved into a monumental landscape. The book "A Biography of a Mountain" aims to fill in the blanks of public knowledge, revealing the deeper, often overlooked, narratives behind this iconic American landmark.