There is no 5th face on Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore is a national monument located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, USA, and it features the sculpted heads of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
The idea of creating a monument to honor significant figures from American history in the Black Hills region dates back to the early 20th century. In 1924, South Dakota historian Doane Robinson came up with the idea of carving famous western figures, such as Lewis and Clark and Red Cloud, into the granite formations in the Black Hills. However, sculptor Gutzon Borglum was hired to create the monument and decided to focus on American presidents instead.
Work on the project began in 1927 and continued for 14 years, until 1941. During that time, hundreds of workers and artisans helped to shape the massive sculptures from the granite face of the mountain. The heads of the four presidents were chosen for their significance to American history, with each representing a particular period in the nation’s development.
George Washington, the first president of the United States, was chosen to represent the birth of the nation and the ideals of democracy and freedom. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, was chosen to represent the expansion of the country’s territory and the importance of education and intellectual pursuits. Abraham Lincoln, who led the country through the Civil War and abolished slavery, was chosen to represent the preservation of the Union and the ideals of equality and justice. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt, who was known for his conservation efforts and leadership during the Progressive Era, was chosen to represent the development of the country’s natural resources and its economic and social progress.
The faces of the presidents on Mount Rushmore are each approximately 60 feet high and are carved into the granite of the mountain using a combination of dynamite and chisels. The process was dangerous and difficult, with workers hanging from ropes to carve the intricate details of the faces.
Today, Mount Rushmore is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of American history and achievement. The monument attracts millions of visitors each year who come to see the massive sculptures and learn about the history of the United States.
In conclusion, there is no 5th face on Mount Rushmore. The monument features the sculpted heads of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, chosen for their significance to American history and their representation of key ideals and periods in the nation’s development.