Crazy Horse Memorial

In the Black Hills of South Dakota is the Crazy Horse mountain monument. Work began on the huge undertaking in 1948 and there is still a long, long way to go before it is completed. If it ever is completed, it will be the world's largest non-religious sculpture.

The memorial is comprised of the mountain sculpture, a visitor center, the Indian Museum of North America, and the Native American Cultural Center. 

The mountain in 2014

Work began on June 3, 1948 by Korczak Ziolkowski, a noted sculptor who worked under Gutzon Borglum on Mount Rushmore. When work began, only a small 2-lane road led to the site and a small unremarkable visitor center was built at the foot of the mountain. Entrance was free. Korczak and his wife, Ruth, lived nearby and while Ruth raised their 10 children, he diligently worked blasting away the mountain's rocks. The government offered to help with the funding, but it was refused in favor of private donations and funds raised at the visitor center to ensure the government would not place unwanted demands on the project. Korczak often worked 6 and 7 days a week until his death in 1982. Upon his death, Ruth took over the project. 

What the monument will eventually
look like

No time-table has been given with a projected completion date, but a 6-lane highway now leads to the site which is visited by over 1 million tourists each year. Numerous manned toll-booths located before arriving at the parking lot ensure each visitor pays the $10 entrance fee. Work on the mountain slowly continues.

The large, ornate gate near the visitor center

The inside of the very large, very ornate
visitor center