Travel with Terri
Crazy Horse: A Tribute to Patriotism and Perseverance for all People
Story by Terri Marshall, Photos by Gregory Holder
As the 4th of July approaches we, as Americans, tap into our patriotism. Celebrations ensue on beaches, in backyards and in cities across the country. Thousands of Americans will travel to Washington, DC to visit monuments, pay their respects to fallen veterans at Arlington Cemetery and connect with the hub of our nation’s government. Others will travel to Philadelphia to absorb the historic sites of our country’s first capital, while others will travel to New York to witness Macy’s brilliant 4th of July fireworks display. All across this great country there are places to celebrate our patriotism and one of the best (in my opinion) is Rapid City, South Dakota!
Nestled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City is “The City of Presidents” – deservedly so. Life-size bronze sculptures of our past US Presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush greet you on the street corners about town.
Carved into the granite face of nearby Mount Rushmore are the 60-foot tall heads of four of our greatest presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. Men who inspired a nation.
Patriotism by definition is the love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it – certainly a quality of our presidents past and present – but there are other great men in our nation’s history – men whose sacrifices often go unmentioned. A tribute to one of those men is still being carved in the Black Hills not far from Mount Rushmore.
The sculpture of Crazy Horse – the spiritual leader of the Native American Lakota tribe – has been developing since 1939 when Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski saying “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, also.”
Korczak considered the invitation for seven years as he studied the story of Native Americans. After serving in World War II, Korczak accepted Standing Bear’s invitation and set out to memorialize the epic story of the North American Indian nation.
At 40 years old, with just $174 to his name, Korczak began the largest sculptural undertaking the world has ever known – 563 feet high and 641 feet long. He suggested carving the memorial in another location not so close to Mount Rushmore, but the elders insisted the memorial be in the Black Hills which had been sacred to the Lakota’s for many generations.
Upon discovering that Korczak was born on September 6th which was the date Crazy Horse died 31 years prior, the elders considered it an omen – Korczak was destined to carve the memorial.
Korczak and Standing Bear scouted the sacred Black Hills for the perfect location and Korczak began what would become his life’s work. His model of Crazy Horse depicts the warrior as a proud figure proclaiming as he points to the hills, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.”
The Crazy Horse Memorial was dedicated on June 3, 1948 with the first blast on the mountain. Initially, Korczak worked alone with only the mountain goats to keep him company. He had a dream and despite the difficulties he encountered, he never wavered from that dream.
Years later he met and married Ruth and together they had 10 children – five boys and five girls. Korczak’s dream became a family project. After his death in 1982 at age 74, Korczak’s children discovered a letter he had written to them in 1952. In it he told them, “You don’t have to do this, but if, after I’m gone, you take up the task of doing it, don’t ever let it go.” Ruth and seven of the Korczak children are still working on Crazy Horse today. Recently the next generation has joined the family tradition of working on the mountain.
Progress is measured in tons and in decades. It’s slow-going partially due to the massive size of the sculpture but also because of Korczak’s principles regarding funding. Korczak strongly believed that a Native American memorial should not be financed by the government which had broken its treaties with tribal people. Twice he turned down $10 million in government funds insisting that all funds need to come from the interested public. In 1949 he established the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation whose board of directors enthusiastically manages the project according to Korczak’s principles.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is much more than the spectacular sculpture. Korczak’s master plan had three major goals: the mountain carving of Crazy Horse, the Indian Museum of North America and a University and Medical Training Center for the North American Indian. The museum has an astounding collection of artifacts and its gift shop has beautiful authentic pieces of Indian artistry and craftsmanship available for purchase.
There are several popular events each year at Crazy Horse. On the first weekend of June, the public can walk to the monument on a 10K hike. The Volksmarch rewards participants with views of the far side of the mountain and an up close view of the nearly 90-foot-high carved face. The up close visit brings home the magnitude of the sculpture. The tunnel under the arm of Crazy Horse is large enough to fit a 10 story building. All four of the president’s heads from Mount Rushmore would fit inside the head of Crazy Horse!
Among the most popular events are two annual night blasts. The first on June 26th honors Korczak’s beloved wife, Ruth’s, birthday and the anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn where Lakota leader Crazy Horse was a main strategist in the defeat of Custer’s U.S. Calvary troops.
The second night blast on September 6th marks the 1908 birth of Korczak and the 1877 death of Crazy Horse.
From Memorial Day weekend through Native American Day in mid-October, the carving lights up nightly for “Legends in Light” – a multimedia laser-light show.
The Crazy Horse Memorial’s yearly July 4th mountain blast honors the continuing commitment of Native Americans to their historic cultural customs, and salutes all veterans and the current defenders of freedom in memory of Crazy Horse sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, a decorated World War II Army sergeant.
On the walk up to Crazy Horse stands a sign worth noting. It reads, NEVER FORGET YOUR DREAMS. The Crazy Horse Memorial is a testament to that philosophy representing perseverance and patriotism for all people. http://crazyhorsememorial.org/
Where to stay: Rapid City has plenty of options for lodging while you are busy visiting all the patriotic sites. For something special, check out the Hotel Alex Johnson.
Alex Johnson, Vice President of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, was founder of this grand hotel. His admiration for the Native Americans is evident in the structural design of the hotel which is a blend of two spirits – the heritage of the Plains Indians and the Germanic Tudor architecture representing German immigration to the Dakotas. The Hotel Alex Johnson is registered with the Historic Hotels of America and offers a touch of grandeur in the Wild West.
While visiting, don’t miss the Vertex sky bar. Open only to members and guests of the hotel, the roof top bar overlooking downtown Rapid City is the perfect place to sip a martini or two! http://www.alexjohnson.com/
For more information on area attractions see www.visitrapidcity.com
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com.