July 2000 and June 2007 ...........

Rushmore: The idea of carving the presidents faces into the mountains was conceived in 1923 to attract more people to the Black Hills. The project was originally planned for another area and when that didn't work out they looked at Mt Rushmore, because it faced South East which meant it would receive good light most of the day. The first actual carving begun in 1927. Washington was the first and originally Jefferson was on his right. After working on Jefferson for two years he had to be blasted off the mountain because of cracked granite. He was then started on Washington's left. In 1933 the memorial came under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Washington was dedicated in 1934, Jefferson in 1936, Lincoln in 1937, on the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Roosevelt was dedicated in 1939 and for two more years details and finishing touches were made. In 1941 Mr. Borglum, the man that carved the mountain died and his son took over. Seven months later funding ran out, the carving was shut down and the presidential faces were completed as they stood.

July 2000 and June 2007 ...........

Crazy Horse: The Crazy Horse memorial is a mountain monument in the Black Hills, in the form of Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lahotu warrior. The monument has been in progress for over fifty years and is still far from finished. If finished, it will be the world's largest sculpture. The memorial is to be the icon of a huge educational and cultural center that will include the University and Medical training center for the American Indian and Indian museum of North America. The current visitor complex (that was opened just before we were there in 2000) will anchor the center. The monument is being built with no public money, visitors fees and donations support the project, and the sculptors (now deceased) wife and children remain closely involved with the work. When we were back in 2007 there didn't appear to be much change

July 2000 and June 2007 ...........

Custer: We stayed in Custer in 2000 for a few days, it's a neat town and a good jumping off place to visit Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. Three things stood out in Custer, the National Woodcarvers Museum, Big Pine Campground and The Purple Pie Place. The Pie Place is one of the oldest residences in town. She bakes homemade pies every day that are wonderful. Fresh Rhubarb is one of the specialties. They also have homemade soup, sandwich, fresh baked rolls and ice cream. On our way to the Newmar International rally in 2007 we made a special trip to Custer so we could have lunch there.
August 2011: Friends that went to Custer said the pie shop has been sold and the food is average. Bummer!!

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