E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSI first saw the Crazy Horse Monument 20 years ago. It seemed impossibly large. I’m sort of amazed that they’ve made this much progress.
Read more about the monument at its official website.
Gred Orred / EPA
The giant face of Chief Crazy Horse is slowly taking shape at the Crazy Horse Memorial that is being carved out of Thunder Mountain in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota. The massive undertaking, originally the creation and idea of Polish-American artist and sculptor Korczak Ziokowski, was started in 1948, and it might be the largest sculpture in the world measuring when completed at 641 feet wide and 563 feet high. The head of Crazy Horse is 87 feet high. In comparison, the faces of the US president carved in Mt. Rushmore are 60 feet high. Ziokowski with approval from Chief Standing Bear and other Native Americans envisioned not only a monument to Native Americans, but also an educational and cultural center that currently includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center as well as workshops for Native American. Ziokowski and his relatives have refused government funding for the non-profit project and instead rely on donations and admissions to the memorial for funding to complete the Crazy Horse Memorial.
(Bottom) The Crazy Horse Memorial at Thunder Mountain is lit up in the evening prior to the laser light show in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota on Aug. 11, 2010.
Mike Nelson / EPA
Slow, steady progress with Crazy Horse
Explore related topics: arts, featured, south-dakota, native-american, sculpture, monument, black-hills, crazy-horse
Leave a Comment:
... well, it's unlikely that I will still be alive when it is completed, but I do indeed hope that it WILL be finished within the next 50 - 75 years ... amazing!
looks like a young Jimmy Durante!
Rip Off!!! The native Americans deserve to be honored & remembered, but this is not the way. It is almost embarrassing that a person can spend a day at Mount Rushmore enjoying the sights, and learning about the history of the carvings for just the cost of parking. At Crazy horse they charge a lot per person, and there is nothing there except an unfinished carving, and a lot of hoopla about what it will be like some day. We won't go back.
Then you missed the entire point of the carving. I have been there several times over the years. I never am disappointed- nor were the kids and now grand kids who came along. You may need amusement park level rides or the things Rushmore does- but keep in mind the US gov stole that land ( the Black Hill was the holy place for the tribes) it is on from the Native Americans, who prevailed in Court and are STILL waiting for the land to be returned- but I digress. Crazy Horse has a beautiful art museum and various levels of Native American craft and culture; the film about the monument and so much more. This is RUN by and for the Native Americans who do not want government interference. Rightfully so- they have had enough I guess. Did you get that part about Red Cloud approaching the carver/artist and asking him to carve the Mt during the movie presentation?? Maybe if you spent a little more time reading the brochure for listening during the film. or even speaking to the Native Americans running this project you would not be so unhappy. I hope you were able to grab one of the rocks in the visitors center. You can mail them home so there is no problems at the air port. I don't mind paying a little more to see what you are so unhappy about regarding Crazy Horse Mt. I am proud to make the free contribution to aid in the successful completion- regardless of when it is finished- and feel it is a vote for the independence of a proud people and their hero and only wish I could give more. I hope you will go back someday and see what you missed.
I agree, this is a complete rip-off. The brochure is misleading as I thought I would be able to walk up to the head. Nope! You can only view it from a mile away.
Once they explained that they are not taking any government funding, I guess the mandatory "donation" to see the museum made sense. But in touring the entire area for a number of days, I was struck with the thinking that, the Native Americans did not mold the earth to the will of man, they lived in harmony with nature. So carving up a mountain of rock seems to me a shame that they are competing with the white man's monument (Rushmore) in white man's terms. The day before I had come from Devil's Tower, which is climbed by people and that is considered a sacrilege of sorts to the Native Americans. White man's outlook - climb, conquer, and blast holes in rocks. Native American outlook - live in harmony and serenity. So to me, Crazy Horse is just simply wrong. Just my opinion.
I am pleased that a lasting memorial to honor this great Native is being made and the history and depravity of the American settlers with the Christian calvary forces are revealed in a educational memorial for all Americans to read and learn about.
We just saw Crazy Horse about two weeks ago ....... it is amazing, but so far from completion. The finished product is a very, long way off.
We was their in 2000. It seems that the masons has acomplish a great deal of work sense then.
Hmm... Looks like your English needs a great deal of work.
A rock fell on his head when he was there.
Even the photo MSNBC uses shows people walking around the head! Its a once a year event!!!
I am all for honoring great Native Americans but I am not for defacing mountains or their ecosystems. From all I have read about Crazy Horse I don''t think this is what he would have wanted.
Another conservation nut!
Wish someone had felt that way when the part of the Black Hills which is Mt Rushmore was stolen from the Sioux. It was their holy land and protected under a treaty with the tribe and the US gov- which lasted about long enough for the ink to dry and until they found GOLD in the Black Hills. Then our government sanctioned exploration and white settlement into the lands that were supposed to belong to the Sioux... and we know how that story ends right.
Anyway- We hacked up that part of the Black Hills then made a highway across from it that weaves through the Mts ( Needles Hwy) with one way with tunnels cut through the Mt's- and you can see Mt Rushmore from many of the tunnel openings.
Wonder where the conservationists were when that happened?
Liberalism is truly a mental disorder. Wow! lol!
So conservation is a bad thing? Wow. I am surprised you can correctly spell liberalism. Without conservation efforts there would be no Yellowstone National Park.
I saw the Crazy Horse Monument 25 years ago, 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago, 2 years ago, last year, and last week. More Red Bull would be a good idea to keep this project moving forward more agressively. This is a beautiful view that will clearly last and inspire many generations to come. My only minor criticism is I believe it should be categorized as "an attraction" in the Black Hills vs. a "National Monument" because at base it's a small, private, hopefully lucrative business providing a good living for family and co-workers -- not a federally funded and supported National Monument. A huge step up from Reptile Gardens and Cosmos, but let's keep things in perspective here. There's of course nothing wrong with that, but I think the general public doesn't understand the difference, and gets confused when they hit the gate and get hooked with the entrance fee.
Bravo- you have it on the money. If you get to see it so often, you must live there. I wish I could. Love it but cannot take the winters.
I preferred the original idea of having Chief Crazy horse, sitting on his horse.
according to their website, admission for any one person ranges from free to $10 (or $27.00 a carload maximum fee, whichever works best for you). doesn't seem like a "rip-off" to me. sounds more like a labor of love, something we could use a lot more of in many areas of life. as to the eco-system comment, there may be a little something to that, but i'll trust to think that appropriate ceremonies and ritual offerings were made to spirit.
I visited this place in the 80's and it looks like it did back then. This will be finished at a point in time where anyone alive right now will be dead... or, it will never be finished.
This monument could have been finished 25-30 years ago. The people running it refused funding which didn't include the various vanity projects they want with it.
If the completion is so important to everyone, maybe some of you can put the foundation on your contribution lists. ( I am not soliciting here just reminding you what that admission fee goes to.)
Funding is a major reason for delay in completion of the project. If they have more money, they can hire more people to do it and more equipment,etc. I understand- unless something has changed in the last year- that Crazy Horse WILL be sitting on his horse, pointing. The story goes, in defeat when Crazy Horse was asked by the US government officials "where is your land now" he pointed and said" My land is where my dead lie buried." ( I hope I didn't goof that up too much). and the carving reflects the artist interpretation of that statement. Crazy Horse is on his horse, pointing and if you look at the carving, the hole under the extended arm is the opening between his arm and the horse.
I obviously love this project and admire the Sioux people for doing things their way. If I ever am in a better financial position, this project could be finished in our lifetime... until then please don't think it is a worthless trip. Leave the amusement park mentality outside the gate and really look at what is inside and outside the visitor center and museum and about how much it means to the Sioux to have their own heroes honored- their way.
Am i mistaken when i believe that government funding is funding by the people... If the government doesn't get it's money from it's citizens, then who?
Unless the government funding comes with a contingency which goes against what the motives of this group believe, apart from accepting government cash... I say accept the funds and let's get this project finished.
When Korczak said to his wife before his death "You must work on the mountain, but go slowly so you do it right", you'd think that he would want her to be alive during it's completion.
Maybe the reason why they're so underfunded is because there isn't any progress. In the last 20 years the only progress has been that hole they took out under his arm.
Ahh maybe you should read the history of the Black Hills, the treatment of the Sioux and Native Americans by our government in general and read the information about THIS project. Crazy Horse was murdered by a soldier, shot dead and in the back. He was unarmed and had surrendered. Do you see why the Sioux may not want the government involved in the project to honor their hero?
The Crazy Horse Mt monument is NOT funded by the government or tax payers. The Sioux Nation wants it that way. Korczak knew this was a generational project as does his family. I think the people know how they want this to go and how they want or don't want it funded.
I think you would find it interesting to read more of the Native American cultural history about this project and the Sioux.
Are you kidding, "delay in conpletion", it's been worked on since 1948!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A few backhoes, some air hammers, and it could be completed in a year. So where is all the money going, I guess it's going to families and cars and vacations.
The carving is far many times larger then Rushmore and in the round. So it is a far larger project then a few jack hammers would require.
This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Mt Rushmore pales in comparison to CrazyHorse.
All you folks complaining fail to see the big picture. The story behind the mountain. Why Mr. Ziolkowski was the one chosen to build the monument, Mr Z building all the equipment he used, building the stairs to the top. Working by himself for over a dozen years. His whole family working on the mountain.
Take time enough to learn the history, don't just believe something you read in a p.c. book.
I had the great fortune of meeting one of the sons that was still working on the mountain when I was there in 2002. I hope to make it back one day (I live on the other side of the country). Even if I couldn't see any progress, I know the people working on the mountain have put their hearts and souls into it. Even if it takes a thousand years, it's a labor of love.
As they say, "Rome won't built in a day."
Not that I am the ambassador or anything but I am go glad you appreciate this monument and what it symbolizes to the Sioux and Native American Culture generally. It is remarkable.
I took my young children there in 1978 they are in there 40's now . There children will never see this completed. Nor will there grandchildren.
This is a waste of money. I came here thinking I could walk up to the head as that was the cover photo on their brochure. I paid $20 to park (back in 2003) and I was not impressed with the museum and the fact that I could look at the monument via a telescope. While I understand they are not taking gov't money and the family is doing it themselves, I felt cheated and almost asked form my parking fee back. I have steered many of my friends away from this.
Everyone is missing the point, "This is a business and will never be finished". And it is a ripoff to pay to get into the gate and then more to go up to see it closer. I've been there once a few years ago and I don't see any reason to ever return. This is money making business for the Indians just like a Casino. They can't loose with fools dropping $10 each to see nothing. Hey, I've got a paper sack, want to see what's in it? It'll cost you $10 to look inside it.
We visited Crazy Horse in May. There was no evidence of any work being performed. Perhaps to expedite the completion of the Memorial's mission "to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians," the Board of Directors should consider accepting (if indeed offerred) federal funds. As it is today, compared to Mount Rushmore, I have to agree that a visit to this carving is not a good use of vacation time or money.
If you check- there are scheduled blasts and other work going on but it is their tourist season and that IS how it is funded. Maybe they work a lighter schedule during that time- I don't know. The night blasts are a blast to see if you ever get a chance to see it.
Let's see...it took Mount Rushmore 14 years to carve FOUR 60 feet faces at the cost of about million dollars. And it started in 1927 and they did not even use the technologies of today!
So what Crazy Horse that started in 1948 is taking so long to finish?! 52 years?!? And we don't even see the hair of a chief and horse craved yet! (chuckle)
I suppose that with today's technologies and committed carvers, it should have done long time ago. But of course we have greedy "white" contractors, insurers, regulators, goverment, and special interests that demands money and time.
I hope they will find a solution to speed it up so that the Americans can enjoy and finally pay respect to the native Americans....in our lifetime!
our family went to Crazy Horse last summer. We initially went to S. Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore, once we got out there, we all felt that Crazy Horse was MUCH better than Mt. Rushmore. We did NOT have to pay for parking, we paid $27 for a car which entitled us to a 2 day pass. Once we got there (and paid) a man working there told us that if we came back the next day (July 4th, 2009) we could see them blast the mountain. So, we went back and were able to see the blast. That was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We also were able to meet the contractors wife, Ruth and had pictures taken with her. When we were first making our plans to go to S. Dakota my husband did NOT want to go see Crazy Horse, because it was not finished. In the end our whole family throughly enjoyed our time there! When we were at Mt. Rushmore we saw what the sculptor ORIGINALLY wanted that mountain to look like, he gave in to the government and received government funding, and the project looks NOTHING like his original dream. I give Korczak Ziokowski's family a LOT of credit for NOT allowing the government to step in and take over this project. They truly want this done the way that HE would have wanted it to look, even if that means taking a lot longer to finish!
I have been there and think it is a great honor to the Native Americans who were deceived by the U.S. Government and a great credit to the Indian nation. I think it will stand as a great reminder of what a few individuals can do, especially in the current case in New York city were the same U.S. Government intends to establish a monument to the 9/11 tragedy to the honor of Muslim conquest of this Nation.
It's called a mosque. This nation was founded by pilgrims seeking religious freedom. The whole reason you are an American is because people left Europe to worship as they see fit. Muslims do not equal terrorists anymore than Catholics or Jews. When they build a monument to al Qaeda in the WTC footprint you will have a point. Till then you are just using 9/11 as an excuse to be racist and ignorant.
umm I think you are in the wrong location.
I meant that the mosque discussion probably should not be with this article but you have a good point and well stated.
As someone from the area, I think it's a classic tourist stop, that serves as a nice reminder of the American Indian history in the area, but little else. Although noble intentions, it's kind of a joke. There is a consistent lack of funds - with arguments for state, local, and federal funds, it's been over 1/2 a century since they started - sometimes doing a blast every few months, and it literally violated an entire mountain (not just a small side) in the gorgeous Black Hills and Custer area. They significantly altered the original sculpture last year, reducing the scope significantly. With the new size and more active funding efforts, I hope it will finish in my lifetime (50 yrs)... though I am doubtful.
You have several options to see the carving closer. There are buses that go to the base of the mountain and you get about a 25-30 minute talk. Or, you can take a van to the top--well worth the money. Then, they have the Volksmarch (approx 6 miles). It's held on the weekend around June 3rd for 2 days. Around 15,000 take the trek. The suggested donation is 3 cans of food.
Thank you for posting this accurate information. I find the state of SD so interesting but this has a special meaning for me and my family. I saw it first in 93. Watching the progress is so interesting and that it is NOT publicly funded makes it even more special. Maybe we can make that trip to the top next time.
As of this writing entry and parking are still free at Wall Drug (where ice water is also free) and the Corn Palace. If you have the patience to wait in line an hour to get off the interstate, you can tour Sturgis free during the Harley rally. Although parking is inadequate and overpriced, there is interesting stuff you can see free in Deadwood.
For all of those who say there is no progress, go during the Volksmarch when you can hike to the top. You can't see the narrowing of the monument from the museum, but you can from the top, looking down. They have to remove the overburden of excess material from the sides to get to the carving surface. You can see the progress being made from above.
And as eKarenB said, admission to the Memorial is 3 cans of food during the Volksmarch. The food is donated to the local food banks.There is a charge for the Volksmarch itself, but it is not prohibitive.
If you are there early, you can park fairly close to the trailhead for the hike, but if you get there later, you may have to walk quite a distance. It is a nice hike, and not too steep for most of it. Set your own pace. They have way stations with portapotties along the way and you can buy a snack from the Cub Scouts or the schools (M&Ms, granola bars, fruit, etc.).
I recommend sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, good hiking shoes or at the least sneakers (flip-flops and sandals tend to scoop up gravel and can be uncomfortable after a few miles), and several bottles of water or a camelback. It does get hot and you can get dehydrated. A hiking stick helps with the steeper areas. You can bring a sack lunch and have your meal where you can watch the people going by. Once you get to the top, you have incredible views of the surrounding country.
The Volksmarch ends at 4pm, I believe. Also, check the weather report before you go--they will close the Volksmarch down and get everyone off the mountain if a thunderstorm approaches within 10 miles due to concerns of lightning strikes. Afternoon storms are common in the area during the summer, but you can hike and be off the mountain by the time they get close.
Once off the mountain, there is food and cold soda available at the restaurant to one side of the museum complex, and there is much to see inside the museum.We usually have to leave long before we have seen it all.
I have been twice in the past three years, and plan to go again in the next two as a bi-annual trip with a Scout group. Crazy Horse is a favorite with the youth, and a little planning and extra water means they have a lot of fun. Their favorite pictures are of the group in front of the face.