The History of Mount Rushmore
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Mount Rushmore
Historian Doane Robinson originally envisioned the sculptures carved into the Needles area of the Black Hills, but backed down from that idea due to the poor quality of the granite and strong opposition from environmentalists and Native American groups. Working with sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the two settled on the Mount Rushmore location, the tallest mountain in the region, which also has the advantage of facing southwest for maximum sun exposure. October 31 marks the 70th anniversary of Mount Rushmore's completion. Photo: FPG/Getty Images
See the full collection of photos at LIFE.com
See the full collection of photos at LIFE.com
See Mount Rushmore photographed without the famous faces.
