Talus Terrace

Talus Terrace

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

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Scenic View/Photo Spot

Standing on the Talus Terrace is the closest you can get to the sculpture itself. The talus slope is made of the blast remnants from the carving period and has been estimated at 450,000 tons of material.

Looking around the talus slope you can see tool marks on the granite and evidence of the carving technique called honeycombing, where holes would be drilled close together in order to weaken and remove pieces of rock. During the carving of Mount Rushmore, visitors to the site were very interested in the honeycombed granite and would often ask, "How can I get a piece of rock like that?" The hoist operator would usually respond, "Oh, I can't give that away. I'm holding onto it for a buddy of mine that works up on the mountain." The visitor would respond, "I'll pay, I'll give you $2.00 for it." The hoist operator's reply was, "Nope, nope, I'd really catch it if I gave away my buddy's piece of granite." If the visitors were very determined to get a piece of that granite, they would make another offer. "I'll give you $6.00 for that piece of honeycomb granite." The hoist operator would pretend to pause and think about it... then he would say, "Alright for $6.00 I'm willing to take the heat." The hoist operator would give the visitors the piece of honeycombed granite and take their $6.00. The visitor would leave very pleased with their rare and hard-won souvenir. The hoist operator would wait until he was sure the visitors were gone, and he would get on the phone to the top of the mountain and say, "Boys send down another one!" Another piece of honeycombed granite was sent down, ready for the next visitor looking for a special souvenir from Mount Rushmore.

The talus slope is now considered a cultural resource, to be preserved along with the historic structures, the museum collection, and the sculpture itself. Taking rocks or other materials from a protected area such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial is prohibited by law.