Who is the Fifth Face of Mount Rushmore?
Meticulously carved into the southeastern face of South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore, you’ll find four faces. These four faces pay tribute to well-known U.S. presidents, now looking on over the land below for eternity. But maybe you’ve heard the rumors of a fifth face.
So, is there a fifth face on Mount Rushmore? While the rumor mill has certainly churned up intriguing stories about a potential fifth face carved into Mount Rushmore, there isn’t one. Rather, there is no official fifth face carved into the granite stone. However, there is an unofficial fifth face recognized by many: Ben Black Elk.
The History of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore, located in what is now South Dakota, has a controversial history. The United States government promised this territory, including the Black Hills, to the Sioux in the Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1868. However, when gold was discovered in the region, prospectors flocked to the area, and the U.S. reneged on its earlier agreement.
Sioux warriors, like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, resisted this push. Federal troops went in, eventually demolishing the resistance in a brutal massacre that is now remembered as Wounded Knee. To this day, Sioux activists protest the government’s confiscation of this land, citing the importance of this region to their religious traditions.
Many years after the Wounded Knee massacre of 1890, South Dakota’s state historian came up with the idea to carve historic heroes into “the Needles” to attract tourists to the area. The initial idea was presented in the early 1920s, eventually evolving into the decision to carve the faces of significant U.S. presidents into the stone.
Mount Rushmore was selected as the site for the sculpture, and the process began. The four heads took years to sculpt and involved dangerous work, but no lives were lost in construction. The project was finally deemed complete in 1941 and today stands as part of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, sometimes known as the “Shrine of Democracy.”
The Four Faces of Mount Rushmore
When you visit Mount Rushmore, you’ll see four faces carved into the unforgiving granite southeastern face. These faces depict presidents of the United States, each chosen to represent something different.
George Washington
Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of the four faces on Mount Rushmore, chose George Washington, the first president of the United States, to be the most prominent of the faces. He selected Washington for his work in laying the foundation of American democracy and to represent the birth of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson
Borglum chose Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the U.S., to represent the growth of the country. This president was a primary author of the Declaration of Independence and played a pivotal role in the country’s growth, as he purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. This purchase doubled the size of the U.S., adding a portion or all of fifteen current states.
Theodore Roosevelt
Borglum chose Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, to represent the development of the United States. Roosevelt was an integral leader during the economic boom of the early 20th century, playing a core role in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, which joined the East and West.
Abraham Lincoln
Borglum selected Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, as the fourth and final face of Mount Rushmore. Lincoln was the glue that held the nation together during the Civil War, which all but tore the nation apart. For his role in preserving the nation and his unwavering conviction on abolishing slavery, Borglum chose Lincoln to represent the preservation of the United States.
Is There a Fifth Face of Mount Rushmore?
Technically, there isn’t a physical fifth face of Mount Rushmore. The mountain features four faces, each carved into the stone of the mountainside, but there isn’t a fifth face carved in. Instead, the rumored “fifth face” often refers to Ben Black Elk, who was an unofficial greeter for those visiting the monument.
Black Elk greeted visitors for over 20 years, posing in countless photos with tourists. It is said that he may have posed in as many as 5,000 photos per day. He started this greeting practice in the 1950s, welcoming the many people who flocked to the monument shortly after its declared completion in 1941.
So, while there technically is no fifth face on Mount Rushmore, and the National Park Service states there will be no fifth face (there isn’t a secure surface to add another face), Ben Black Elk is commonly known as the fifth face of Mount Rushmore.
Visit Mount Rushmore With Caravan
Mount Rushmore is a symbol of the freedom and democracy that the American people enjoy. It’s a must-see, whether you’re a foreigner visiting the wonders of the U.S. or a born-and-raised American. The work is incredible, each 60-foot face serving as a testament to everything the country has weathered.
While you won’t see the unofficial fifth face of Mount Rushmore, as Ben Black Elk passed away in 1973, the site is still well worth the visit. If you want to visit Mount Rushmore but don’t want to deal with the headache of planning the specifics yourself, a guided tour might be the perfect fit.
At Caravan, we offer fully guided tours in various countries, including the United States. Our Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone tour takes you to the various must-see places of the West, including the grandeur of Mount Rushmore and the expansive beauty of the Grand Tetons.
It offers nine days of adventure, bringing you to places and activities that will create memories to last a lifetime. The best part? You won’t have to plan anything (aside from your flight). We do all of the hard parts for you, picking great accommodations, restaurants, and activities to fill your itinerary. We even handle transportation, so all you’ll need to do is book your flights and arrive at the designated hotel for the welcome briefing.
Beyond that, we plan everything for you. This way, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy all that this tour has to offer. Soak up the beauty of Yellowstone, revel in the remarkable accuracy of Mount Rushmore’s faces, and enjoy scenic drives through the picturesque Western landscapes. Ready to book a trip? Call us at 1-800-CARAVAN or 1-312-321-9800 to get started today!
