Mount Rushmore Timeline

1923

Doane Robinson, a South Dakota State Historian, suggests a sculpture in the Hills.

Both the Federal and State Governments authorize a carving.

President Coolidge hands Gutzon Borglum a set of drill bits at the first ceremonial drilling.

The stock market crashes setting off The Great Depression.

The Washington figure was dedicated.

The Mount Rushmore project became part of the National Park Service.

Attended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Jefferson figure was dedicated.

Dedication of the Lincoln figure.

Gutzon Borglum secretly began blasting a Hall of Records in the mountain behind the heads.

Dedication of the Roosevelt figure

On September 1st, Hitler invaded Poland starting World War II

Gutzon Borglum dies in Chicago 7 months short of the competition. The remaining drilling takes place under the direction of his son, Lincoln Borglum.