The Carving of Mount Rushmore

by Rex Alan Smith

his plans: “The sculpture work on the faces was completed before Father’s death, and the features of the four presidents will not be touched. We’ve got to finish the hair on Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln and do some work on Lincoln’s collar and on his head. That’s the immediate program.” Actually, Lincoln had somewhat understated his task. The features of Roosevelt did require additional finishing, and there remained, as well, some necessary work on Washington’s collar and lapels. That was what he had to do, and he had only $50,000 to do it with. He was but twenty-nine years old and not yet known as a sculptor—only as a sculptor’s son. Now, as the new head of the Rushmore work he would be in the national spotlight, and any evidence of immaturity or ineptitude would be promptly noted and publicized. It was a sobering challenge, and he must have found it a frightening one as well. That summer of 1941 was a restless, fermentive season, both on the mountain and off. A strange season of growing prosperity accompanied by equally growing uneasiness.