ken patton Loc: Portland, OR

Let’s see, 25 years ago CrazyHorse looked much like picture 3. I first saw it in 1976 (Looked like picture 2)while stationed at nearby Ellsworth AFB. Since then the face was completed, Indian museum added/expanded, restaurant added, Indian college added, gift shop added. Rushmore was completed by the government, CrazyHorse turned down government assistance (after the way the government treated the natives he didn’t think the government should be involved) and is only funded with private donations. Korczak was the only artist working on the sculpture at first. In 1976 it would have been considered a tourist trap with nothing there except some white paint on a rock outlining a horse but not anymore. It’s now amazing and worth seeing. But see Rushmore 1st, it will take about 2-4hr to see everything. Then head to CrazyHorse. It’ll take a full day if not 2 to see it all. And a trip to the top is worth the price. For a fee they will take you onto the carving, on the arm in front of the face. 2 times a year you can walk to the top for a donation of 3 cans of food. I go back at least once a year from Oregon.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Pretty impressive--been there. What’s the timeline for completion?

ken patton Loc: Portland, OR

Yes, Korczak’s family is still working on the monument. His wife, Ruth, passed a couple of winters ago. I met them both while stationed at Ellsworth AFB in 1976-1981. I believe he passed in 82 or 83 and Ruth took over the operation. She wanted the face completed 1st to bring in more tourist and donations—-it worked!! Their daughter(s) are on the board of directors, sons run/manage the surrounding forest, lake etc. I see them every year at the annual “UPDATE” of the Carving. And get to see a night blast as well. The blast is open to the public. The UPDATE is given privately to the carving donors along with dinner, then to the public a little later.

Saigon Loc: Atlanta, GA

Beautiful shot PhotoFrank! Nice trip....

AzShooter1 Loc: Surprise, Az.

Wow, I remember visiting it in 2005. It's come a long way. Nice shot.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Very nice.

Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

Korczak did in fact work on Rushmore. His family is continuing his work. One daughter is a sculptor in her own right, and works in the studio resolving problems when they are encountered. One son is the foreman on the mountain. Another daughter assists her mother in running the business side of the operation. Apparently Korzak left written step by step instructions for how to proceed on the mountain. Big thing to remember is that they have to be very careful in their blasting to ensure that they don't take off more than was intended, and/or ruin the whole process. True on the likeness, that was derived from conversations with native american people that knew him. And lastly, NO government money is or has been spent on this project. It is totally supported by the visitors and donation.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good shot, Frank.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

My wife and I were there just about a month ago and were quite impressed with the monument. According to the information we received, they receive no government or public funds to support the work. All money funding the project is from volunteer donations and price of admission and souvenir sales. Additionally the family uses mathmatical calculations to determine where to sculpt, not lasers or GPS location devices. The family does not give a date for estimated completion but optimistically claim it will be within the lifetime of one of the sons of the originator who admitted to being 68 years old.

Wanderer2 is correct that Crazy Horse did not allow any photographs of himself so his likeness is not coorect. However, through interviews with many who did know Crazy Horse, a description was obtained and the carved face has been determined, much like a police sketch artist would provide for a suspect.

Attached is a photo I took August 31, 2019 from approximately the same position as Photo Frank. Agreed, they look very similar as to completion of the carving. The second photo shows the dimensions of just the face. For comparison the faces on Rushmore are each 60 feet from chin to crown.

Btw, I have a piece of Crazy Horse Mountain as a souvenir, obtained for a small donation of my choice.

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Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

It will never be completed. Features crass commercialism, and a larcenous admission price. By contrast, Mt. Rushmore is complete, impressive, and dignified.

PhotoFrank Loc: Westerville, Ohio

Thanks to all who have chimed in with additional photo timelines, background and history on this monument.
Attached is another view.

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I was there in September of ’17. We didn’t have the time to spend to make the admission price worthwhile, so the gate person told us to go on in, take my photos, and be back in ten minutes or he’d charge us to get out. I was back in eight--appreciated that gesture.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

And admission is free. At least w senior pass. But you do have to pay for parking.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

skylinefirepest Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.

Absolutely. Rushmore was good but having seen it and experienced the commercialism I won't go back. Crazy Horse on the other hand was fascinating with the museum and an Indian guide telling historical stories...and we'll go back next time out west.