Construction of Mount Rushmore Construction of Mount Rushmore The construction of Mount Rushmore National Memorial took 14 years, from 1927 to 1941. Doane Robinson of the South Dakota Historical Society wanted a monument to be built in South Dakota in order to help the economy of the state by attracting tourism. In 1923, he proposed that this monument should be built from the granite cliffs in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Senator Peter Norbeck of South Dakota approved the proposal, and federal funding helped the project. Robinson asked architect and sculptor Gutzon Borglum to sculpt and design the monument. Borglum decided to use
Mount Pilchuck State Park Mount Pilchuck State Park Mount Pilchuck State Park is a public recreation area located east of Granite Falls, Washington, on the western edges of the Cascade Mountains. The state park features of alpine scenery, recreational activities, and Mount Pilchuck itself. The main point of interest is the trail to the peak and the old fire lookout located on the summit, above sea level. The name "Pilchuck" originated from the Native American name of "red water" for a creek in the area. The U.S. Forest Service built a fire lookout on the summit in 1918 which was staffed until the 1960s.