Keystone in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Father of Mount Rushmore
Photographed by Jerry Klinger, May 11, 2017
1. The Father of Mount Rushmore Marker
Inscription.
The Father of Mount Rushmore. . Doane Robinson (1856-1946) was the South Dakota state historian from 1901 to 1926. Speaking to the Black and Yellow Trail Association in January 1924, Robinson proposed his idea to carve legendary figures of the American West into the Black Hills Needles formation. He believed the monument would be a special attraction to draw visitors to the scenic landscape and develop tourism to diversify the state economy. Robinson shared the idea with Senator Peter Norbeck who provided key political support. Enlisting artist Gutzon Borglum, they agreed on presidents as subjects of national significance and Mount Rushmore as the best site. Robinson worked with the state legislature for initial funding, coordinated with Norbeck for Borglums initial visits, promoted the idea around the state, and was an early leader of the memorial association. Borglums final design for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was built from 1927 to 1941. Doane Mountain, located along Memorial Highway, was named for Robinson, to honor the "Father of Mount Rushmore."
Doane Robinson (1856-1946) was the South Dakota state historian from 1901 to 1926. Speaking to the Black and Yellow Trail Association in January 1924, Robinson proposed his idea to carve legendary figures of the American West into the Black Hills Needles formation. He believed the monument would be a special attraction to draw visitors to the scenic landscape and develop tourism to diversify the state economy. Robinson shared the idea with Senator Peter Norbeck who provided key political support. Enlisting artist Gutzon Borglum, they agreed on presidents as subjects of national significance and Mount Rushmore as the best site. Robinson worked with the state legislature for initial funding, coordinated with Norbeck for Borglums initial visits, promoted the idea around the state, and was an early leader of the memorial association. Borglums final design for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was built from 1927 to 1941. Doane Mountain, located along Memorial Highway, was named for Robinson, to honor the "Father of Mount Rushmore."
Erected 2017 by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Mt. Rushmore Society, South Dakota Historical Society. (Marker Number 713.)
Location. 43° 52.087′ N, 103° 26.058′ W. Marker is in Keystone, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is on Iron Mountain Road. Next to Doane Robinson Tunnel. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keystone SD 57751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South
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Dakota’s West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Black Hills, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Additional keywords. Mount Rushmore Doane Robinson Father of Mount Rushmore, Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation,
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2017, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2021. Photo1. submitted on May 29, 2017, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
