The Workers

Black and white image of 24 workers in two rows, one seated, one standing on a large rock with Mount Rushmore in the background. They are all white males wearing hats and clothing suitable for work - overalls, long sleeve shirts and boots.
Photograph of the last work crew at Mount Rushmore in 1941.
 

Over the fourteen year period of the carving, 1927 to 1941, almost 400 workers, men and women, labored at the memorial. The work was hard, the hours long, the pay low, and periods of employment uncertain. Despite harsh and dangerous conditions, there were no fatalities during the carving work. For some of these people the work was just a job, but for others it became a special calling.


“More and more we sensed we were creating a truly great thing, and after a while all of us old hands became truly dedicated to it.”

Red Anderson, Mount Rushmore Carver

 

List of Known Workers

Last updated: March 28, 2023

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

13000 Highway 244
Building 31, Suite 1
Keystone, SD 57751

Phone:

605 574-2523
Park information. Phones are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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