Tag Archives: Thomas Jefferson

Mount Rushmore, An Artistic and Architectural Phenomenon

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For reasons I can’t explain, I’ve had a crazy fascination for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  I suppose it started in the eighth grade in Mr. Harness’ American history class, and from that point forward I had hoped to visit there someday.  Growing up in the Midwest, over 25 hours away from the national memorial, I came to realize that if I was going to have a chance to see Mount Rushmore, I would need to plan a Western US vacation and add the monument to my itinerary. This year was the year to make that voyage.

With two weeks of vacation, I finally booked the trip not only to visit patriotic Mount Rushmore but to also include several national parks and interesting sites along the way.  My dream was finally coming true.

Mount Rushmore is an American icon…a symbol of our country’s progress and freedom. It is a perfect representation of  the most influential presidents of the United States….four Presidents who have made enormous contributions to the land of the free.

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First, there is George Washington, the first President, who is credited for the founding of the United States.  Thomas Jefferson, a principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was President from 1801 to 1809.  Serving as the 26th President of the United States was Theodore Roosevelt who was instrumental in establishing the National Park System and preserving the nation’s natural resources.  Finally, Abraham Lincoln, who abolishing slavery, signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Passing through the visitor’s center, the pavilion is flanked by flags from each of the states, so I began my search looking for California, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, the states where I have lived for some time in my life.   From here, I can see the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln.

When Gutzon Borglum was asked to design a monument to draw tourists to the state of South Dakota, Borglum decided on creating the likeness of each Presidential Great.  While Lewis and Clark and Buffalo Bill Cody were other options, Borglum insisted that the monument should represent the nation as a whole.  It was from this decision, the idea of Mount Rushmore was born.

With years of substantial commitment and determination, Mount Rushmore was finally completed after fourteen long years and unveiled to the public in 1941.  The work of Gutzon Borglum, continues to amaze as one of the most fascinating engineering marvels of all time, viewed by millions of visitors each year.

The sight of Mount Rushmore, towering over the Black Hills, left me in awe and inspired to continue our pursuit of equality and help protect our national parks.   I finally managed to explore the one monument that had fascinated me all of these years.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Mount Rushmore?  Did you too feel a sense of patriotism and were you inspired by the monument?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for taking a step back in time with me at Mount Rushmore and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 SD-244
Keystone, SD  57751
Telephone:  605 574 2523

  • Admission Fee:   There is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore National Monument, but parking fees are required:  cars, motorcycles and RVs:  $10 per vehicle, $5 for Seniors (62 and older) and Free for Active Duty Military;
  • Hours:  Open daily from 5AM to 11:30PM
  • Amenities:  Hiking trail, ranger programs, audio tour and Evening Light Ceremony.
  • Scenic View:  The platform provides a beautiful view of Mount Rushmore.
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  There are several things to do at the park to learn more about Mount Rushmore.  You won’t want to miss the Evening Light Ceremony which takes place at sunset to 9:00 PM.   You can attend a ranger talk or opt to take the audio tour at your own leisure.  A visit to the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center will provide you with a film and exhibits.  The Presidential Trail is just over a half a mile long and allows you a closer view of this amazing sculpture.

Where to Stay:

Country Inn & Suites
2321 N. Lacrosse Street
Rapid City, SD  57701
Telephone:  866 522 8891

Where to Eat:

Carver’s Cafe
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244
Keystone, SD  57751
Telephone:  605 574 2515

What to Eat: 

  • Buffalo:  A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
  • Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce.  Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
  • Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
  • Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia.  The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
  • Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination.  This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
  • Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
  • Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
  • Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
  • Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
  • Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
  • Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake.  Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
  • Pasties are savory hand pies.
  • Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
  • Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
  • Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.

What to Read: 

  • The Mystery at Mount Rushmore, by Carole Marsh
  • The Carving of Mount Rushmore, by Rex Smith
  • Great White Fathers, by John Taliaferro
  • Face to Face with Mount Rushmore, Jean L.S. Patrick
  • Mount Rushmore:  The History and Legacy of America’s Most Unique Monument, by Charles River Editors

Photo Guide for Mount Rushmore, South Dakota: 

  • Use a telephoto lens.
  • Include impersonators with your photos
  • Hike the path around the monument
  • Take your photo during the golden hour
  • Photograph Mount Rushmore on the Iron Mountain Trail through the cave entrance which frames the monument.
  • Photograph George Washington’s profile just past the entrance of the national monument.
  • Photograph Mount Rushmore  from Mountain View Cemetery.
  • Book a helicopter tour for an aerial shot of Mount Rushmore.

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Springfield, Ohio: The City at the End of the Road

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Arriving at the The Clark County Heritage Center, I was excited to learn more about the history of Springfield, Ohio.  This city was once my home until high school when I left in search of adventure.  I decided to return home to start a business and was happy to become reacquainted with all of the familiar places that I once remembered.  They say you always come back to your roots.

After grabbing a cup of coffee at Un Mundo Cafe, I arrived at the Center to explore its museum of historical exhibits.  Built in the late 1800s, this Richardsonian Romanesque beauty was home to several public offices until it was abandoned for a number of years, reopening in April 2001.   From City Hall to the Police Department, the Center is now a museum as well as retail space for several local businesses.

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Easily accessible from the coffee shop, I entered the museum where I was surrounded by pamphlets and books on several shelves in the center lobby.  After signing in, I explained to the attendant that my reason for visiting was to write about the museum.  He  suggested a couple of books to help with my research and  I was eager to begin learning more about Springfield, once known as “The City at The End of the Road.”

Stepping into the exhibit, I began my tour standing in front of a map of state route 40.  From here, I would soon learn the importance of the National Road as well as its significance and impact on Springfield.

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The National Road was first proposed by George Washington to connect the east coast and west coast of the United States.  It took several years to complete, and with the help of Thomas Jefferson, they finally broke ground in 1808.  The project first began in the small town of Cumberland, Maryland, as the route continued to evolve over the years.

As the road progressed, it reached Columbus, Ohio in 1830 and continued  towards Springfield with the financial aid of local resident Pierson Spinning.  Mile markers made of stone were strategically placed to document the distance traveled from Cumberland where some of these markers still remain.

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Wagons were the primary source of transport for adventurous families leaving the east coast for a future out west.  The museum displays the wagon of David Crabill who was one of the early settlers to reach Clark County and make this area his home in 1808.

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Today, the National Road is paved with blacktop, but at its inception, small stones marked its path.  As the roadway reached Clark County, brick was laid throughout the streets of Springfield and later continued to Bellefontaine with the use of concrete.   Without further government financing, the National Road would end in Springfield in 1836, where it became know as the city at “the end of the road.” As the progression stalled, many families settled in Springfield doubling its census from 510 to 1080 residents.

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The National Road encouraged a booming business along its route with the start of several taverns as well as bed and breakfasts.  Over the years, the establishment of small towns in Clark County would help Springfield grow as a city of wealth and industry.

In 1844, Wittenberg College moved from Wooster to Springfield and the city became incorporated six years later.  The addition of six gas lights downtown and the production of farm equipment put Springfield in the spotlight for industry.

Springfield also played a role in abolition, offering assistance to runaway slaves throughout the underground railroad movement.  By 1832, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published and an awareness of slavery was reaching the northerners.  It was Anne Aston Warden who assisted with organizing an underground railroad association in Springfield to provide aid and safe havens for the slaves as they made their way north towards Canada.

Harriett Beecher Stowe’s book was made into a play, which was performed in Springfield.  The same year, the Basey family purchased land, being the first African Americans to do so.  Shortly thereafter, in 1857, local resident Udney Hyde of Mechanicsburg protected a Kentucky slave, Addison White,  from being captured by US marshals.

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During the Civil War, Springfield factories rose up to support the war efforts by making uniforms, wagons and linseed oil.  Congressman Shellabarger voted to pass the United States’ first Civil Rights Act and local families in Clark County offered their assistance by taking in former slave children.  The production of farm equipment  continued as Springfield entered its Golden Age in the mid 1870s.

As Springfield continued to prosper, Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States and the city would host the Ohio State Fair.   “Mother Stewart” would arrive in Springfield from Piketon to lead the temperance movement in a crusade to abolish alcohol.

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Photos depicting the industrial movement in Springfield are on display in the museum.  It was a time of prosperity for Springfield and the City Building (now the Heritage Center), designed by Charles Cregar, a local architect, was completed by 1890.

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In the late 1890’s Springfield would come to be known as “The Home City” as facilities to assist organizations such as the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias were built around town.  In 1898, Snyder Park was created with land donated by the Snyder Brothers and remains today as a beautiful oasis close to the city’s center.

From here, I took a short break for lunch returning in 30 minutes to continue my visit to the Heritage Center which is covered in a second blog post titled, Politics, Theaters and Automobiles:  Springfield, Ohio’s Rich History.  

Are you a Springfield native or have family in the area?  Have had the opportunity to visit the Heritage Center?   I would love to hear about your connection to Springfield or about your visit to the Heritage Center if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.    Many thanks for reading this post about my hometown of Springfield and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

The Clark County Heritage Center
117 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, Ohio 45502
Telephone:  937 324 0657

  • Admission Fee:  Free, and donations are welcome.
  • Hours:  Museum:  Tuesday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM; Saturday from 9AM to 3PM.  Closed on the following holidays:  New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • Amenities:  Bookstore and gift shop, guided tours, video presentation
  • Length of Visit:  2 – 3 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Donations recommended are Family:  $10; Adults:  $5 and Children: $3.

Where to Stay:

Courtyard Marriott Springfield
100 S. Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH  45502
Telephone:  937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Heart of Country Gift Shoppe and Teaberries Cafe
1600 E. Leffel Lane
Springfield, OH  45505
Telephone:  937 325 3030

I could spend hours strolling the Heart of Country Shoppe, but when I visit, I can’t wait to have lunch at Teaberries.   I always start my lunch with a piece of yummy, moist orange bread.  Known for their wide varieties of chicken salad sandwiches, I always revert to the House Favorite, the Midwest Delight, served on a butter croissant.   If you have room, try their homemade carrot cake or peanut butter pie.

More favorite Springfield eateries:

  • Schuler’s Donuts:   Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
  • Simon Kenton Inn:  This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue.  With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
  • Guerra’s Krazy Tacos:  One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
  • Salato Deli:  I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
  • Le Torte Dolci Bakery;  Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
  • Mike & Rosie’s Deli:  This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink: 

What to Read:

  • The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
  • Springfield, Ohio:  A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
  • Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
  • Still Standing:  A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
  • Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:  

  • Hartman Rock Garden
  • Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
  • Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Heritage Center of Clark County
  • Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
  • Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
  • Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio