Crazy Horse Mountain
I first visited Crazy Horse Mountain when I was very young. Too young to remember actually. But I went again in 1994. It was then that I was truly inspired by this incredible sight. And it was then that I knew my life could mean something and I could make an impact on the world. I discovered all the great plans made by Korczac Ziolkowski (pronounced jool-CUFF-ski) for the Native American Indians- to give back to them a little of what was taken from them so long ago. I recently visited Crazy Horse again with my girlfriend and her family. It was as breathtaking as ever. And I am constantly excited about the progress that is being made and will be made. I will be adding new pictures and maps in the next few weeks to make this site even more complete. I've also bought a few books on the life of Chief Crazy Horse and so can add to the historical part of the site as well.
The Steadying
by William Heyden
Ziolkowski, usually known as merely Korczak, was a self-taught sculptor. He was of Polish descent being born in Boston. Korczak got the invitation from Chief Standing Bear in 1939, and after about seven years of thinking about it, Korczak accepted the offer and moved his family from Connecticut to the Black Hills of South Dakota. He left his home with approximately $149 to his name and a vision to start the biggest undertaking of his or anybody else's life. in June of 1948, Korczak built a 741-step wooden staircase to the top of the mountain (6,740 ft above sea level) and strategically inserted four sticks of dynamite into it. Those 10 tons were the first of millions to come. He then took the equivalent of a paint brush and a gas powered jackhammer, and started carving a mountain, telling the story of the spirit of Chief Crazy Horse in granite. In his mind, Zwiolkowski could already see the mighty warrior sitting astride his faithful stallion, his left arm thrown out, pointing to his sacred lands.
Unlike Mount Rushmore, which is just a relief sculpture, Crazy Horse will be fully three-dimensional, being made of the entire mountain. And in size comparison, Mount Rushmore would be able to fit on Crazy Horse's outstretched forearm. A five-room house will be able to fit inside a nostril the warrior's stead. It will be taller than the Washington Monument and nearly twice as big as the Statue of Liberty. To date, about 8 1/2 million tons of granite have removed to make the sculpture, sometimes employing as many as 100 people.
Project spokesman Robb DeWall comented, "It's the largest armpit in the world," as he strolled through the tunnels within the mountain.
"My dad said it best, 'It's being done to right some of the wrongs that were done to a race of people,'" says Casimir Zwiolkowski, son of sculptor Korczak.
Zwiolkowski's surviving wife, Ruth, remembers, "He didn't want to be just another white man who promised the Indian something and didn't finish."
"When it's all said and done, there will something left for centuries," said the younger Zwiolkowski.
The family, who now owns the mountain and the 328 acres on which it sits, live at the foot of the hills. It consists of wife and mother Ruth, and seven of their ten children. They use dynamite, drills, and determination to carry on the work of their father.
May 3rd was the 50th anniversary of Korczak's arrival in the Black Hills, sacred Sioux burial grounds. It is scheduled for dedication in 1998.
Here is a small gallery of Crazy Horse Mountain and Ziolkowski
The Crazy Horse Memorial is not a state or federally funded project. It is a not for profit (501-c-3) organization begun in 1947. Ziolkowski had twice declined $10 million in federal aid, fearing that he would jopardize the university and medical center which are planned if he relinquished the nonprofit status. It is primarily financed by the admission charged and also donations fron the interested public. Despite the $20 million raised in the past 50 years, money for the project is rather tight. Harsh South Dakota winters also pose a problem of making work extremely difficult.
The memorial is open all year round, however the Laughing Water Restaurant is only open in season.
Here are some links to other Crazy Horse sites
Another South Dakota State Info
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