CRAZY HORSE

DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer: South Dakota

Crazy Horse –Memorial in Progress

While in the Mt. Rushmore area of South Dakota visit the work in process of Crazy Horse. It looks like such a monumental task that it could never be completed.
Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest sculpture now in progress. It is just 17 miles from Mount Rushmore.
The work started in 1948 by a sculptor named Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of the Native Americans. He worked on it nearly alone until he died in 1982. His wife Ruth and their family continue the project along with the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.
Crazy Horse was born in Rapid Creek S.D. in 1842. While in Fort Robinson, Nebraska under a flag of truce, he was stabbed in the back by an American soldier and died Sept. 6 1877 at the age of 35.
Crazy Horse defended his people and their way of life in the only manner he knew.
Crazy Horse is to be carved not so much as a lineal likeness, but more as a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse to his people.
With left hand thrown out pointing in answer to the question ask by white man,”Where are your lands now.” He replied “my lands are where my dead lie buried.”
When finished a giant Sculpture of a Sioux Indian named Crazy Horse will stand 563 feet high, as tall as a 9 story building. All of the president’s heads could fit inside of Crazy Horses head. It will be 641 feet long.
Today Ruth is over 80 years of age but works to complete her husbands dream. Her and her several children remain the inspiration for the project. Refusing all government funding as a matter of principle.
Funding depend on visitors fees and donations.
It is uncertain when it will be completed.
It is a long and very slow process.
Stop by on your trip to Mount Rushmore.


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