The Crazy Horse Memorial That Refuses Federal Funding & Survives on Visitor Donations

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse never let anyone take his photo, yet he’s being carved into the world’s biggest statue.

The Lakota leader who crushed Custer’s army at Little Bighorn is now a 563-foot-tall work in progress. Started with dynamite and determination in 1948.

Here’s how it grew from one man’s vision into a multigenerational quest you can visit today.

A Lakota Chief’s Vision Begins the Monument

In 1939, Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote to sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski asking him to create a monument honoring Native Americans.

Standing Bear wrote, “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.”

He wanted a memorial to balance nearby Mount Rushmore, which only celebrated U.S. presidents.

After many letters back and forth, Ziolkowski agreed to take on the project. He had worked briefly on Mount Rushmore but now would create something that honored Native American heritage.

He had worked briefly on Mount Rushmore but now would create something that honored Native American heritage.

The First Blast on the Mountain

The first explosion on Thunderhead Mountain happened on June 3, 1948, marking the official start of the sculpture. Five elderly survivors from the Battle of the Little Bighorn attended the ceremony.

These veterans had seen the 1876 battle where Crazy Horse helped defeat Lieutenant Colonel Custer.

From the beginning, Ziolkowski refused to take government money for the project to keep it independent from federal control.

Korczak’s Solo Mission in the Early Years

Ziolkowski worked alone during the first years, carrying explosives and stone up and down the mountain by himself.

His dedication required incredible physical strength and determination. He built a 741-step wooden staircase to reach the carving site each day.

This climb became part of his daily routine as he shaped the mountain, at the base of which he built his cabin.

The Face Finally Emerges

After 50 years of work, Crazy Horse’s 87-foot-high face was completed on June 3, 1998. This milestone came exactly 50 years after the first blast on the mountain.

Ruth Takes the Reins

Ruth Ziolkowski took over the memorial after her husband Korczak died in 1982. Ruth decided to finish Crazy Horse’s face first, not the horse as her husband had planned.

Under Ruth’s leadership, the site grew to include a museum, cultural programs, and educational projects.

The Night Blasts Illuminate the Mountain

Special Night Blast events light up the mountain with fireballs and fireworks that highlight the carving against the dark sky. These shows turn the sculpture into a canvas of light for thousands of viewers.

The first yearly Night Blast happens on June 26, celebrating Ruth Ziolkowski’s birthday and the Battle of Little Bighorn anniversary.

The second Night Blast occurs on September 6, honoring both Crazy Horse’s death in 1877 and Korczak Ziolkowski’s birth in 1908.

The Legends in Light Laser Show

For nearly 20 years, the Legends in Light laser show projected colorful images onto the mountain each summer night. The show turned the mountainside into a massive 500-foot screen.

Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, gave one million dollars to create this experience.

The show ended in September 2023 after 17 years when the equipment became too old to repair. The cost to replace everything was simply too high.

The Volksmarch Tradition

The Crazy Horse Volksmarch began in 1985 and is now America’s most popular organized hike.

This 6.2-mile walk gives hikers rare access to parts of the monument usually closed to the public.

Walkers follow a trail that leads right up to the arm of the sculpture, standing directly beneath the giant face.

This close-up view can’t be experienced from normal viewing areas. The hike happens twice yearly, once in spring and again in fall during the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up.

Controversy Among Native Americans

Not all Native Americans support the memorial. Some see it as disrespectful to carve into the Black Hills, land many Lakota people consider sacred.

Elaine Quiver, a descendant of Crazy Horse’s aunt, believes the project started without proper permission.

She says Lakota culture required family agreement before depicting Crazy Horse, which never happened before blasting began in 1948.

Others point out that Crazy Horse refused to be photographed in life and might not want his image displayed.

Visiting Crazy Horse Memorial

You’ll find Crazy Horse Memorial at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730, located between Custer and Hill City in the Black Hills.

The memorial is open year-round, with extended summer hours from 7am to 10pm (May-September) and shorter winter hours from 8am to 5pm (October-April).

Adult admission costs $15, with discounts for seniors and active military.

Your entrance fee directly supports the ongoing carving work since the memorial receives no government funding.

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