Page Updated: August 27, 2023
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse - SD
The Crazy Horse Memorial is a project decades in the making.
The joint vision of Chief Standing Bear of the Lakota and sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, the memorial strives to bring recognition and honor to all Native Americans of North America. When completed, the Crazy Horse will be 641ft wide and 563ft tall — and it will be the largest mountain sculpture on Earth.
Since the first cut in June of 1948, the memorial has grown into a campus that includes The Indian Museum of North America and The Native American Educational and Cultural Center.
The approach to Crazy Horse Memorial is just as striking as you think it should be. Turning onto Avenue of the Chiefs, we could see the monument in the late morning sun - never mind that it’s over a mile away. When the carving is finally completed, the view will be extraordinary.
Sometimes we watch the movies offered at places we visit and sometimes we just skip them. We sat for the full length of the film at Crazy Horse Memorial and learned the complex history of the monument and the men who’ve created it. Would recommend anyone visiting the memorial to take time to view it.
The Indian Museum of North America is impressive. We’ve been to a number of Native American museums around the country, and this one is one of the best. Thousands of artifacts lay throughout the galleries and are some of the most exquisite artistry you’ll ever see.
On the Viewing Veranda, a scaled model of the complete sculpture allows visitors to envision the future of the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Tower viewers at the veranda’s edge allow visitors to get a closer look at the colossal carving.
Other features of the memorial include Korczak’s log home, the sculpture room with dozens of models and pictures, and Laughing Water Restaurant.
Visitors looking to get closer to the monument can take the memorial’s bus ride to the bottom of the mountain.
And organized hikes through the woods to the mountain happen twice a year. Typically the first Saturday in June and the Sunday of the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in autumn.
As beautiful as the carving will be in the future, I doubt it will be finished to admire in our lifetime. But, it’ll be interesting to return to Crazy Horse Memorial years from now and see what progress has been made.
-b&b
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