The Black Hills of South Dakota are loaded with so many great attractions it’s hard to get to every one. Consider the Crazy Horse Memorial as one you need to put at the top of your list.

1. It is the world’s largest mountain carving.
When the Crazy Horse Memorial monument is finally finished, it will be 641 feet long and 563 high. The completed head is already 87’6” high. The head of the horse is 219 feet high.


In comparison, Mount Rushmore is only 59’ high.

2. It is a family affair.
Korczak Ziolkowski began carving the Crazy Horse Memorial in 1947. He and his wife Ruth had 10 children while Korczak worked on the mountain. In addition to opening up a one room school house at Crazy Horse to educate his children, he taught them all about mountain carving.

Korczak Ziolkowski worked on the mountain until he died in 1982 at the age of 74. Seven of the 10 Ziolkowski children and a few of the grandchildren have continued to work under the direction of Ruth Ziolkowski and the board of directors of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.

Although Ruth Ziolkowski passed away in May 2014, the rest of the family remains dedicated to the Crazy Horse Memorial project.

3. It is run by a non-profit organization.
The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is a non-profit 50(c). They do not accept any funding from the government. All of the financial support for the museum, grounds, and mountain carving comes from private donations and admission fees.

Korczak Ziolkowski wanted it this way. He believed that the public would accept the goals of the memorial and support it financially. He was a strong believer in private enterprise and individual initiative.

4. It is built on foundation land.
Chief Henry Standing Bear, who initiated the building of the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Korczak Ziolkowski chose this mountain in South Dakota not only because the rock was suitable, but because the property could be acquired. The land is now owned by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. It was put together from land exchanges and from homestead and mining claims.

The foundation accepts contributions from individuals. They are tax deductible under applicable IRS rules.

5. It is a learning experience.
Crazy Horse is about much more than the mountain. The Indian Museum of North America was opened in the late 1970s and has continued to grow with Native American artifacts. In addition, the complex also houses the Native American Educational & Cultural Center.

Before or after you go see the carving of the mountain, you should watch the orientation movie and explore the museum and cultural center.

6. It is a work in progress.
You can go back to the Crazy Horse Memorial many times and see something different. The mountain continues to be carved without a final completion date. Many factors come into play before it can be finished, including weather, financing, and mountain engineering.

Given the advancement in engineering since the project began, researchers are trying to come up with a fairly accurate date the sculpture will be finished and approximately how much more money is needed to do so.

7. It pays tribute to an American Indian hero. Beyond all else, remember what Crazy Horse is all about. The Native American leaders wanted this mountain carved for Crazy Horse because he was a great hero to his people. He was loyal and cared for children and the elderly. He also died young.

The Crazy Horse Memorial  was started because “his values and his story serve as an inspiration for people of all races.”