Comments on: Crazy Horse Memorial

By: Corey V.

Corey V. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:30:34 +0000

When Crazy Horse was started over 60 years ago, blasting could only be done as funds were available. There was (and still is) a jar at the front entrance where donations are taken. When enough money was made, a blast was produced.

As the monument has become more popular, the blasts have become more frequent. Likewise, interested parties have begun donating more and more to the cause. Therefore, even though it is only as far as it is after 60 years, the progress is becoming increasingly faster thanks to more funding and a higher degree of technology.

Regardless of whether or not it’s finished, think of this. This is the largest mountain sculpture in the world. The World.

Additionally, it is all being done with no public funding.

It is the only monument you can see as it’s being created - history in the making.

And, it’s being created to fulfill a promise. The memorial began with just $174 dollars. Korczak promised Chief Henry Standing Bear that he would create the monument to honor Native Americans. And the promise, unlike many made before to the Native American culture, is being kept through Korczak’s family.

The story behind the monument is pretty strong. It will be finished, and most of us will get the chance to see it.

By: UUBER

UUBER — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:43:10 +0000

I appreciate the cause of Crazy Horse, as PS Wallace notes above, and I realize that the funds are privately raised. However, the price to see the monument is exorbitant for what is there to see. This project has been in the works since the 1940s and there is little to show (a gift store) but for a hefty admission price.

Mount Rushmore overwhelms Crazy Hourse by leaps and bounds. To see Mt. Rushmore in a movie is a completely different experience at seeing it first hand. Crazy Horse, though admirable as it may be, is not much more that a rock formation. You can’t even get close enough to see any formidable features. Perhaps it will be comleted in 2999, when we’re all surely dead and gone.

By: PSWallace

PSWallace — Wed, 24 May 2006 07:48:18 +0000

I plan on taking a road trip from Chicago to see Crazy Horse. For me, it has been a lifelong dream to visit there. No matter how much is completed or how much has not been completed or how much money it costs. I don’t really care much about Mt Rushmore. That place has been in the movies, on tv and so many other places…I’m sick of seeing it really. However, if there’s time, maybe I’ll drive the extra 10 or 15 miles to see it. I’m 34 years old now and it appears that Crazy Horse will not be completed in my lifetime. If I won some lottery money or came into a huge chunk of money…I’d donate a lot of it to the cause.

By: khw

khw — Wed, 10 May 2006 12:43:45 +0000

OK, so you pays big bucks for a one time tour of “Crazy Horse’ - but - it is not being financed by the Federal Gov’t… as is our National memorials, monuments, parks and beaches… - thus we - you and i and all ther rest of the tax paying citizens of our wonderful country continually pay into a fund that only partly finances: park rangers, road maintenance crews, and the others that run our National Park System…
The, on going, blasting, hauling, maintenance peoples, etc. etc. are paid by entrance fees, donations, monies from the sales of trinkets - jewelry - art works - clothing - etc. etc. as they have not accepted any “Federal Monies”…
The group of us that visited “Crazy Horse” found it most enjoyable and well worth the few bucks it cost - for this one-of-a-kind memorial!!!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 09:33:23 +0000

I saw the Crazy Horse “Monument” in 2004 while I was in South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. Man, what a rip off, you pay like 20 bucks for a carload or 10 bucks per person and get to see nothing. All thats done is his face and I guess some of his arm. This thing is never going to be done, however they have a pretty fancy tourist trap full of stuff to buy.

Mount Rushmore was 8 bucks, plus a few quarters to use those mounted binoculars and was way more impressive. The whole park is all done in all clean stone and has lots of historical information, you can tell its ran by the NPS because its actually interesting and it has very nice facilities and a museum. Look at Crazy Horse from the freeway and save your money.

By: Mark J

Mark J — Tue, 17 May 2005 10:42:10 +0000

If you go to South Dakota, see Mount Rushmore first. If you see Crazy Horse first, and then go see Mount Rushmore, you’re going to be seriously underwhelmed by the Presidents.

By: Cormac

Cormac — Wed, 11 May 2005 18:16:32 +0000

Driving up to it, you can see the face from over a mile away. We just drove around a corner and were amazed to see the face clearly while we were still so far away.

Some stats:
The head is 87.5 ft-high, the outstretched arm is 263 ft-long, and the horseâ€™s head is 219 ft-high. The full height of the completed work will be 563 feet, with a length of 611 feet. By comparison, George Washingtonâ€™s head on nearby Mount Rushmore is about 60 ft-high. It’s been worked on since 1948.
10 million tons of rock have been removed so far.

By: James

James — Tue, 10 May 2005 08:15:18 +0000

Thanks Stephen, I’ve updated the post.

By: Stephen Johnson

Stephen Johnson — Tue, 10 May 2005 01:49:19 +0000

Actually, the arm is pointing towards the south east. The visitor centre is a short distance to the south west.

By: Mario

Mario — Mon, 09 May 2005 01:19:55 +0000

I visited this recently. It’s much more visible than Rushmore, because you can see it as you approach it or leave it. They said a ton of time was spent making the hole under the arm.