Crazy Horse Monument
Crazy Horse Monument is located 17 miles south of Mount Rushmore and is the largest sculpture in the world. It is, however, still in progress because it is funded solely be private donations. The sculpture will portray Crazy Horse riding his horse and pointing out over his people's land, saying "my lands are where my dead lie buried." The memorial holds historic and culture importance. When visiting Crazy Horse Monument you can almost feel the dedication and emotional strength that Korczak Ziolkowski had when he first envisioned the project. This dedication parallels that of Crazy Horse's to his people. more info
Crazy Horse was chosen to be represented in this monument because he is a
hero to the Lakota Sioux Indians. He was a skillful warrior and devoted his life
to his vision and to the well being of his people. Crazy Horse was known for
being modest and courageous. He died at the young age of 35 after being stabbed
in the back by an American soldier while ironically standing under a truce flag
in Nebraska. Although Crazy Horse refused to ever be photographed while alive,
sculptor Ziolkowski and Chief Standing Bear wanted the sculpture to represent
the spirit of Crazy Horse and what he meant to the Lakota people in the sacred
lands of the Black Hills.
Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was invited to the Black Hills in 1939 by Lakota
chiefs. For a year he assisted in sculpting Mount Rushmore. He then met with
Chief Standing Bear to learn more about Crazy Horse and make a model of the
sculpture. Ziolkowski started the project in 1946 after finding the 600 foot
site called Thunderhead Mountain. The first detonating cord blasted in 1948.
Crazy Horse Monument has required skilled explosive engineering including four
stages: drilling holes up to 35 feet to perforate the rock as paper is
perforated; laying and blasting detonating cord within these holes; drilling
details of the sculpture; using a finishing torch to make the rock smooth.
Ziolkowski died in 1982 at age 74. His wife and 10 children were determined to
follow through and lead the project until its completion.
Korczak wrote this to be carved into the monument:
WHEN THE COURSE OF HISTORY HAS BEEN TOLD
LET THESE TRUTHS HERE CARVED BE KNOWN:
CONSCIENCE DICTATES CIVILIZATIONS LIVE
AND DUTY OURS TO PLACE BEFORE THE WORLD,
A CHRONICLE WHICH WILL LONG ENDURE.
FOR LIKE ALL THINGS UNDER US AND BEYOND
INEVITABLY WE MUST PASS INTO OBLIVION.
THIS LAND OF REFUGE TO THE STRANGER
WAS OURS FOR COUNTLESS EONS BEFORE:
CIVILIZATIONS MAJESTIC AND MIGHTY.
OUR GIFTS WERE MANY WHICH WE SHARED
AND GRATITUDE FOR THEM WAS KNOWN.
BUT LATER, GIVEN MY OPPRESSED ONES
WERE MURDER, RAPE AND SANGUINE WAR.
LOOKING EAST FROM WHENCE INVADERS CAME,
GREEDY USURPERS OF OUR HERITAGE.
FOR US THE PAST IS IN OUR HEARTS,
THE FUTURE NEVER TO BE FULFILLED.
TO YOU I GIVE THIS GRANITE EPIC
FOR YOUR DESCENDANTS TO ALWAYS KNOW--
"MY LANDS ARE WHERE MY DEAD LIE BURIED."
Ziolkowski turned down federal funding a few times and the memorial remains
privately funded to this day. The project has therefore taken many years. There
are three main goals of the Crazy Horse Monument. These include the carving of
the sculpture, the Indian Museum of North America, the Indian University of
North America and the Medical Training Center for the North American Indian. The
project is primarily funded by admission charges of $9 for adults or $20 per
carload. Children under 6 are free. If you are driving from Cody, Wyoming drive
east on US 14 until you meet up with I-90. Follow I-90 until exit 154. Follow US
16 until Avenue of the Chiefs to reach the Crazy Horse Monument.
Crazy Horse, SD Weather
Currently Outside 55FClear. Refreshingly cool. |
