Crazy Horse Memorial History & Progress
Crazy Horse Memorial History & Progress
High atop rugged peaks is the towering figure of Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse astride his noble steed, his gaze piercing the horizon as he defiantly points toward his ancestral lands. It’s a scene that captures the essence of bravery, determination and cultural pride in a single breathtaking moment. It is Crazy Horse Memorial.
For nearly eight decades, the continued construction of this monumental masterpiece, envisioned by Lakota elder Henry Standing Bear and started by the skilled hands of Polish sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, has been operated by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. Though still in progress today, more than 600,000 people visit Crazy Horse Memorial yearly to view the monument and its ongoing carving and museum onsite.
Who Was Crazy Horse and How Did He Shape U.S. History?
Crazy Horse (Lakota name: Tȟašúŋke Witkó, literal translation, His-Horse-Is-Crazy) was a 19th-century Lakota war leader of the Oglala band. Though there is a dispute about his birth date, most agree it was between 1840 and 1845. When faced with white settlers encroaching on Native American territory in the Black Hills (known as the Great Sioux War of 1876), Crazy Horse fought against the U.S. federal government to preserve the territory and the Lakota traditions and way of life. He was instrumental in several famous battles of the Black Hills War, including the Fetterman Fight in 1866 and the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, where he led a war party to victory.
After Custer’s defeat in the Battle of Little Bighorn, the U.S. government sent scouts to round up Northern Plains tribes, forcing many to move across the country. These groups were always followed by soldiers, and eventually, due to starvation or exposure, they were forced to surrender to them. In 1877, under a truce, Crazy Horse went to Fort Robinson in modern-day Nebraska to negotiate with the military stationed there. Allegedly, the military leaders mistranslated Crazy Horse because they promptly restrained him and started escorting him to jail. When he realized this, he fought back and pulled out his knife, and as he tried to free himself, an infantry guard mortally wounded him with a bayonet. Throughout his short life, Crazy Horse’s heroism earned him the respect of his people and his enemies. He remains a legendary figure in American history.
carrie.rodgers
Mon, 09/16/2024 – 15:25
When Did Crazy Horse Memorial Begin Construction?
Korczak Ziolkowski moved to the Black Hills in 1947 to find a suitable mountain for the memorial and began construction in 1948. He continued his work on the monument until his death in 1982, after which his widow Ruth Ziolkowski took on the task. Ruth died in 2014, and since then, the Ziolkowski children and grandchildren have continued work on the monument, battling the elements and overcoming challenges to continue to bring the monumental tribute from the unforgiving rock of the Black Hills. Today, visitors can see the astonishing progress made on the world’s largest in-progress mountain carving.
When Will Crazy Horse Memorial Be Finished?
So, why has Crazy Horse Memorial been under construction for almost 80 years? One reason is South Dakota’s harsh winter weather, which makes it impossible to work year-round. Another is the logistical fact that the iron-heavy rock of the mountain makes construction technically challenging. Finally, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit, fully funded by admission fees and donations. It does not accept federal funding. When construction started in 1948, the artist estimated it would be complete in 30 years. As of 2022, there was no timeline for completion. However, the hand, arm, shoulder, hairline and top of the horse’s head were estimated to be finished by 2037. With the installation of a new 250-foot tower crane in 2024, work will progress faster on the left arm, shoulder, hairline and the horse’s mane.
Crazy Horse Memorial Progress
Though there is not a set date for completion of the carving at Crazy Horse Memorial, you can still support its progress by visiting the monument, educational center and the adjoining museums. Admission fees range from $7 to $35, depending on the number of people per vehicle, and all proceeds go to the monument’s construction. With your admission fee, you can access the museums, the orientation film, scheduled cultural programs and the view of the mountain from the Wall of Windows and Outdoor Viewing Veranda.
Come be a part of something truly extraordinary. Come experience the wonder of the Crazy Horse Memorial — a testament to the enduring spirit of the Lakota people, a triumph of human ingenuity against all odds and an invaluable look into rich Indigenous history and culture.
This article: Crazy Horse Memorial History & Progress has been curated from our friends at Travel South Dakota and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/crazy-horse/history-and-progress