Crazy Horse (1840-1877) was a Lakota war leader of the Oglala band. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against encroachment by White American settlers on Native American land and to preserve the traditional way of life of the Lakota people. His participation in several famous battles between 1866-1876, earned him great respect from both his enemies and his own people. In September 1877, four months after surrendering to U.S. troops, Crazy Horse was fatally wounded by a bayonet-wielding military guard while allegedly resisting imprisonment in Nebraska.
The Crazy Horse Memorial, a massive mountain carving of the Lakota leader riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land, is intended as a tribute to Native American culture and history. The monument has been in progress since 1948 and is far from completion.
Controversy – Some Native Americans view the carving as a violation of the sacred Black Hills, particularly as Crazy Horse himself is said to have refused to be photographed and desired an unmarked grave. Critics argue that the memorial, while funded by donations, has become overly commercialized, with admission fees and gift shops potentially overshadowing the intended tribute. There is also criticism for its perceived focus on the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski and his family rather than Crazy Horse, with some suggesting the face was modeled after Korczak himself, not Crazy Horse.
We visited this monument in 2017, after visiting Mount Rushmore. Plan on spending 2-3 hours here.
Dimensions of the Sculpture –
- 641 feet (195 m) long and 563 feet (172 m) high.
- The outstretched left arm will be 263 feet (80 m) long,
- The opening under arm 70 feet (21 m) wide and 100 feet (30 m) high,
- The extended index finger 29 feet 6 inches (9 m) long.
- The face of Crazy Horse, completed in 1998, is 87 feet 6 inches (26.7 m) high.
Welcome Center and Museum – These two areas offer a vast display of Native American art, history, and culture. You will also find two theaters and a wonderful gift shop to purchase souvenirs and handmade gifts from locals.
Sculptures outside the Visitor’s Center
