We left the Mt. Rushmore KOA and traveled 7 miles to the Chief Crazy Horse Monument/Museum. The site is a collection of buildings that contain Native American artifacts and several pieces of art, much of which was created by Korczak Ziolkowski like the Fighting Stallons. He was born in Boston and was completely self-taught in art, sculpture, architecture, and engineering. He arrived in the Black Hills in 1947 to accept Standing Bear's invitation. He started work on the mountain in 1948 to honor the red man's heroes.
The entire project is privately funded which created financial hardships during the construction. One story told was about Korczak starting his old compressor climbing the mountain only to have it die. He later limbed back down nine times to start the compressor to continue working.
He married Ruth who continues Korczak's work today. They had 10 children who were raised and worked along side their parents on the mountain. Today, seven of the children who are grown work to see that their father's dream is completed.
Workers are now blocking out the 22-story high horse's head. The painted outline shows the 45-foot ear and the 16-foot wide eye, some 260 feet below the head of Crazy Horse.
The day concluded with a program of Indian dancers and a laser light show that entertained everyone in attendance. The program was another outstanding ending to a glorious day.
