Crazy Horse Memorial

“My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.”

These were the words written by Chief Henry Standing Bear in a 1939 letter inviting established sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to travel to the Black Hills to create a mountain monument celebrating Native American heroes. Despite offers to create war memorials, Ziolkowski opted to accept the offer made by the chief and other Lakota elders, and moved west, which he would call home the remainder of his life.

The Black Hills were chosen for the monument’s location because they were sacred to the Lakota people. It was at the request of Lakota elders that the memorial be called Crazy Horse, named for the warrior who had led his people at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, which led to the demise of Gen. George Custer. Since Crazy Horse had refused to be photographed, due to the belief that a photo would “steal” a soul, the piece does not actually depict the appearance of the man, but rather, is “a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse,” according to Ziolkowski.

Ziolkowski, who had assisted Gutzon Borglum briefly in 1939 on the Mount Rushmore Project, began his own mountain carving with the first blast in June of 1948, and construction on the monument hasn’t ceased since. The sculptor knew it would take multiple generations before the project could be finished. Ziolkowski, his wife Ruth and their 10 children worked on the piece, funded by donations and admission fees.

Since Ziolkowski’s death in 1982, Ruth, along with several of their children and numerous volunteers, has furthered her husband’s dream. In addition to the carving on the rock face, the memorial also includes a museum — The Native American Educational and Cultural Center — and the home, studio and workshop of the original sculptor.

While the face is the only part of the sculpture that has been dedicated to date, one can easily envision the greatness that is being pursued. Upon completion, it will be 641 feet (195 m) in length and 563 feet (172 m) tall, making it the largest sculpture in the world.

If You Go

Crazy Horse Memorial
www.crazyhorse.org