After leaving Sheridan, our next stop was going to be the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit, but Barney realized that we were going to be passing by Mount Rushmore, so of course we wanted to stop for a few days and see it for the first time in our lives. This post has the pictures we took during the day, as well as a visit to see the mountain in the evening. This stop was really a treat for us, especially since we were here in September while all the crowds of families had already gone back home. The next post will cover the background of why, when, and how it was built.
At a rest stop on our way to Mount Rushmore where we had a PB&J for lunch, we saw the following sign about the Moorcroft Texas Trail; since we had been learning about cowboys on the cattle trails with John Kendrick in the previous post, I thought information in this sign might be interesting for you too.
After the Civil War the rise of large cities in the industrial North created a demand for beef, giving an impetus to Texas cattle drives. Herds of Texas cattle were driven north to marketing points in eastern Nebraska, but settlement by homesteaders, barbed wire, and the scourge of Texas fever forced the trail further west each year. The first herds were driven over pathless ground, but as herd followed herd, trails were made, both named and nameless. The identity of many trails merged with others as numerous herds in search of feed made new trails or crossed the old until they were embraced in the all-inclusive title of “The Texas Trail.”
Outfits of between 9 to 11 men worked the Texas Trail. Water was a concern, so the day’s drive was planned so an evening’s layover meant a water hole or a river. Each drive was approximately 10 to 15 miles long, depending on where water was located. For about 30 years, the trail saw about half a million head of cattle pour out of Texas sweeping into the northern states and territories. [Amazing number of cattle being moved.]
In some places the trail was over 20 miles wide with various branches. It entered Wyoming from the southeast corner near Pine Bluffs and continued north along the eastern border of the state, ending near Miles City, Montana. Thousands of cattle followed this road between 1866 and 1897. It was the last of the great cattle trails.
Moorcroft, where the Texas Trail crosses the Belle Fourche River, was the nation’s largest shipping point for cattle and sheep from 1880 to 1890. In 1894, 32 trail herds hoofed it through Moorcroft’s streets. They totaled more than 4000 head and were strung out two miles long and half a mile wide. Recognizing the advantages of the trail as a business location, Jake Kaufman opened a saloon in Moorcroft. For a long time it was a stopping point for all who passed along the Texas trail.
Chief Crazy Horse monument
One of the RV couples we watch on YouTube talked about seeing the Chief Crazy Horse monument that’s being built close to Mount Rushmore, so as we drove by we click a picture of what’s available to see around the Black Hills. Do you see his profile in the right-hand side of the top part of the mountain?
So who was this chief? I sure didn’t know what his story was all about. Here’s what Wikipedia had to say:
“Crazy Horse (1840 – September 5, 1877) was a Lakota war leader of the Oglala band and one of the most renowned Native American figures of the nineteenth century. Known for his commitment to defending Lakota lands and way of life, he emerged as a central figure in the northern Great Plains during a period of intense conflict with the United States. Crazy Horse resisted U.S. expansion into the Powder River Country, rejecting treaty settlements and reservation life, and became widely respected for both his tactical skill and his personal humility, which included a lifelong avoidance of being photographed.”
The monument has been in the process of being constructed for more than 80 years. The site is being built by private funds.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
daytime visit
The four American presidents carved into the granite of Mount Rushmore were chosen by the sculptor to commemorate the founding, growth, preservation, and development of the United States.
- George Washington signifies the struggle for independence and the birth of the Republic.
- Thomas Jefferson represents the territorial expansion of the country (Lewis and Clark’s expedition as an example).
- Abraham Lincoln was responsible for the permanent union of the States and equality for all citizens.
- Theodore Roosevelt highlights the 20th century role of the United States in world affairs and the rights of the common man.
evening view
It seemed like a third of the audience came up front. It probably took at least 5 minutes for all of the men and women to walk to the stage. Two local ladies sitting next to us said this was the largest audience they had ever seen in the fall. The seats were really full.
Now that we’ve seen the monument during the day and at evening, let’s learn about how this monument was made in the next post.
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