Crazy Horse Memorial has three components: the mountain carving of a silhouette of the Indian War Chief Crazy Horse, the Indian Museum of North America, and the creation of an educational facility to provide quality higher education, free to Native Americans.
The mountain carving resulted from the visions of two men: Polish-born sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (1908-1982) and Lakota Sioux Chief Henry Standing Bear (1874-1953).
Korczak was a self-taught and renowned sculptor, gaining recognition at the 1939 World’s Fair which attracted the attention of Chief Standing Bear. The Chief invited Korczak to the Black Hills to carve Crazy Horse. After much consideration, Korczak accepted the challenge, giving up a lucrative sculpting career. Ruth Ross (1926-2014) followed Korczak, they were married and raised ten children who took part in the Dream of Crazy Horse. Dedicated management and staff, including some Ziolkowski children and grandchildren, carry on the project today.
Please stop for a moment and consider the task these folks accepted. All involved at the beginning knew they were working on something which they would not be able to see complete! Many working on it today very well may not see it to completion!
One other very interesting fact: Notice this is called a Memorial…not a Federal (or State) monument or a National Park. Korczak and Chief Standing Bear steadfastly refused to receive any government funding for the project. They both knew government funds came with many “strings” attached. Today, the Monument continues to be self-funded…what an enormous challenge!
Silhouette of Chief Crazy Horse, viewed from the parking lot, ¾ of a mile away. Photographer’s note: In the photographs of Crazy Horse you will note a variety of sky color. This results from smoke haze encountered early in the morning. In later photographs, the sky turns to a more pleasant blue! This is a scale model Korczak created before he began the actual mountain carving. We include it here to give the viewer an idea of what the finished work will be.Once the mountain was selected where the sculpture was to be carved, Korczak painted an outline of the sculpture on the mountain. He painted it, by himself, using a common white house paint, hanging from ropes. It took 49 gallons of paint. This photograph is a recreated representation. So why this photograph? Note the diagonal white strip, slightly off-center. In other photographs of the Memorial, this stipe can be seen on the slightly dark rock where it was originally painted. This is the last remaining evidence of the original paint! It has lasted since the original painting in 1940!We include this photograph to provide the viewer with the dimensions of the sculpture. Quite a massive undertaking.Some haze in the sky, but still clear. Here you can see the outline of his face and the beginning sculpting of his hand. When we visited here in 2008, the work on the hand had just begun.A closer view. So why the hole? It was carved early in the process to provide the workers with access from one side of the sculpture to the other. When completed, this hole will become part of a larger void underneath his outstretched arm, close to the horse’s mane. Today, several million tons of granite have been removed from the mountain.These last two photographs of Crazy Horse were taken much closer than the others (which were taken from the parking lot). Upon researching the site prior to visiting, Meriam discovered there was a shuttle bus (for an extra $5 per person) that takes visitors to the base of the Memorial. Additionally, for a donation of $150, a person can tour the Memorial itself. Lastly, once a year, the Memorial has a scheduled hike for a closeup and personal view. The face was completed on June 3, 1998, the 50th anniversary.While hard to visualize, this is the tip of the forefinger of his outstretched arm. When seen against the trailer and scaffolding, one begins to appreciate the massiveness of the project.All these paintings are from a very prolific, well-respected, Indian artist.Throughout the museum, university students were teaching traditional techniques and crafts.Tipi of Black Elk’s Dream.A Leader’s Headdress.Here is a fascinating map of the various Indian dwellings throughout the US. Click on the map to increase readability.So one might ask “What’s the importance of this old thing”? Recall when Korczak first started on the Memorial he was the only worker. Initially, he had to drill all the holes in the granite for the dynamite by hand. So, the first machine he bought was this used compressed air drilling machine. This greatly increased his productivity…usually. When it was running, it emitted the “kaput, kaput, kaput” sound, indicating it was running (notice the “kaput” sign attached to the smokestack). Unfortunately, it had a propensity to periodically stop. This was most inconvenient when one was 500’ above the machine on a wood ladder. Korczak would then have to scale down the ladder, restart the machine and then climb back up. In the video at the museum, he describes how, on one particular day, he make the trip 7 times! The thought of this makes my knees ache!
mao We visited there in about 2012. It is hard to see any progress, but it is so interesting. Thanks for the memories. Stay safe!ReplyCancel
HaroldMao, we felt the same way. In 15 years for us, there seemed little progress. Then we learn there are so few (3-5) workers on an average day. It’s amazing there is any noticeable progress at all.ReplyCancel
AndrewWow. Do they have an estimate on when they expect to complete it?ReplyCancel
HaroldBefore visiting this time, I read somewhere they were hoping to have it completed in 2065. However, after seeing how much has to be done, I doubt this date.ReplyCancel
Mary KeaslerThanks for sending this!! Is Awesome!!
HaroldIt is truly an amazing place!
mao We visited there in about 2012. It is hard to see any progress, but it is so interesting. Thanks for the memories. Stay safe!
HaroldMao, we felt the same way. In 15 years for us, there seemed little progress. Then we learn there are so few (3-5) workers on an average day. It’s amazing there is any noticeable progress at all.
AndrewWow. Do they have an estimate on when they expect to complete it?
HaroldBefore visiting this time, I read somewhere they were hoping to have it completed in 2065. However, after seeing how much has to be done, I doubt this date.
SharonEnjoyed seeing!
HaroldYup, it was really neat!
Sandra SpencerWonderful pictures and captions!
HaroldThanks, Sandra. You would have enjoyed the training and activities the museum was conducting with the children.
Sherry MaskSo very interesting – thank you for sharing.
HaroldYou are welcome, Sherry!