A half dozen state legislators want Wyoming to have its own Mount Rushmore.
Six sponsors have filed House Bill 106, “Monument to America,” calling for $40,000 to establish a task force to recommend a monument by the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
The Monument to America would be “similar in size and scope” to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which has 60-foot-high faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved out of granite cliffs.
Wyoming’s monument would feature historical figures from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Locating the sculpture on Wyoming school trust land would generate income for state schools and other institutions, according to the bill.
“Some people think ‘are you crazy?’”
Rep. Steve Harshman
Rep. Steve Harshman (R-Casper), the principal sponsor of the measure, said the idea is to draw tourists while simultaneously recognizing 250 years of American history.
“I’ve been a history geek my whole life,” Harshman said. “It was really 100 years ago — 1925 — the South Dakota Legislature gave approval to find a location for a monument that would honor our first 150 years.
“It’s been incredibly successful,” he said of Mount Rushmore. “Two and a half million visitors a year, half a billion [dollars] in economic impact to the Black Hills.”
Locating the monument on state school trust land would “benefit our children in perpetuity,” and diversify school funding to be less reliant on oil, gas and coal revenues, he said.
‘Are you crazy?’
Harshman has five co-sponsors; Reps. Andrew Byron (R-Jackson) and Trey Sherwood (D-Laramie) and Sens. Jim Anderson (R-Casper), Evie Brennan (R-Cheyenne) and Bill Landen (R-Casper).
“I didn’t search out a bunch of co-sponsors,” he said. “I just asked a few people.”
He understands that the bill is a bit unusual.
“Some people think ‘are you crazy?’” he said.
Nevertheless, the sponsoring six will soldier on and seek to fend off critics.
Some faultfinders might ask “why alter nature?”
“If that was the case, why would we build a house or build a fence or build a power line or, you know, build a water pipeline or do anything?” Harshman asked.
Mount Rushmore was named after a New York lawyer who visited the cliffs in about 1884 to consolidate holdings of the Harney Tin Company.
The four presidents were carved from the cliffs between 1927 and 1941. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is operated by the National Park Service.
Before Rushmore
The four presidents’ faces were first blasted by dynamite and then carved into cliffs called the Six Grandfathers by the Lakota who used the surrounding area for religious ceremonies, according to the National Park Service.
The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie gave the land to the Lakota but the U.S. repossessed the property after the Great Sioux War of 1876, spurred by the discovery of gold in the area.
The Sioux conflicts included the Battle of Little Bighorn and the demise of George Armstrong Custer.
Harshman is aware of Mount Rushmore’s complexity as a symbol of democracy and freedom, as well as colonialism and racism.
“I have our Wyoming tribes on the committee as well,” Harshman said. “I look at the four on Mount Rushmore [and] they’re not perfect, but boy, what incredible foresight.”
Wyoming’s 68th Legislature convenes its 40-day general legislative session Tuesday, during which the 31 senators and 62 representatives will decide whether the one-page bill will be carved in stone.
At first, I thought this was a joke. Not a joke but the most idiotic thing I have heard in quite some time. Mount Rushmore, although majestic, smacks of white supremacists including the artist himself- Gutzon Borglom- who was involved with the Klu Klux Clan. Wyoming has such extraordinary natural monuments that people from all over the world travel to see
. Blasting more old white guys into granite is not why they would come to this state.
IDIOTIC!!!
My suggestion would be to create an homage to our beloved leader, Donald Trump, and carve his likeness on the face of Square Top Mountain by Pinedale. You could cut a 4 lane road into the wilderness area from Crowheart. There’s camping and hiking close by at Green River Lakes and because it’s wilderness, you might even be fortunate enough to run into grizzly bears and wolves! It would be close enough to Yellowstone to draw those visitors, and think of the economic boon it would be for the Wind River Reservation! You could actually name it Trump Tower. I would, of course, want credit for this idea.
Hello and yes,
Its a great idea, I think that if the right images were carved it would benefit everyone.
Count me in….
This must be an early “April Fools Day “ joke!
OK OK I give up and I’m throwing my support to this 100%, because I’m tired of fighting. To avoid controversy, however, the one caveat is that I get to choose who gets a spot of the mountain. My four choices are: Jean-Paul Sartre, Ho Chi Minh, Ralph Nader, and Che Guevara.
What will they think of next. You’d think the fiscally conservative Mr. Harshman could find something better to spend Wyoming dollars on that would actually benefit Wyoming citizens. From the comments already posted, I don’t think there is a very high percentage of people in favor of this ridiculous idea.
This comment is directed to Mr Harshman. What are you thinking? Seriously, this has to be one of the top idiotic ideas that I have heard , ever! It took 14 years to build Mount Rushmore….. “The cost to build Mount Rushmore was $989,992.32. This cost would be over $17 million today when adjusted for inflation.” according to Travel South Dakota. And believe me, I’m sure it would be more than that.
It just goes to show that you can’t fix stupid. There is no vaccine against stupidity, and it’s really too bad because the great state of Wyoming seems to have an epidemic of it. Get a grip folks!
Here’s a better idea, Rep. Harshman et al. Just change the name of Devil’s Tower to “Monument to America”! We already have way too many monuments to the Devil in the western states and it would cost hardly anything.
Don’t deface the land. We don’t want a monument made out of destroying what nature has given us to enjoy. Build a statue, build a monument, build a museum. Don’t destroy and deface this beautiful place we call home.
We should have learned our lesson with Mt. Rushmore. This is something that should never be repeated and shouldn’t have been done in the first place.
So is this how the Freedom Caucus is going to nickel and dime us in this session?
If Lummis, Barrasso, and others weren’t so loath to alter the sacred name of our nation’s first monument, I’d propose we paint the sucker a marvelous shade of Mar-a-lago mango and gild its entire balding summit in 14k gold plate. We can leave the name “Devils Tower” intact(if it really is all that important)— or maybe only keep the initials “D.T.” and scratch out the _evils and the _ower (pretend they never existed) and save a couple bucks on new signage—or why not just take to both knees, hum a catchy little Lee Greenwood ditty, and rebrand the monolith “Trump Tower” right now and get it over with… Honestly, I can’t think of a greater tribute to our nation’s last president
Crazy is right. Does the state have so much money to throw away? Leave our rock formations as they are.
That’s frankly a terrible idea. I cannot imagine who would be memorialized there. Those who stole native lands, broke treaties, decimated the great bison herds? “They are not perfect, says Harshman, “but boy, what incredible foresight”. More foolish, time- and money-wasting nonsense on the part of our legislature. Get serious, people, and address the real issues facing Wyoming.
That’s frankly a terrible idea. I cannot imagine who would be memorialized there. Those who stole native lands, broke treaties, decimated bison numbers? “They are not perfect, says Harshman, “but boy, what incredible foresight” …
Let me guess the location will be for Mt Rushmore like… Vedauwoo!
Why are folks so surprised that some legislators want to build a monument. The Wyoming legislature has proven repeatedly that their constituents are not their priority unless the own oil leases, large ranches, or have a personal agenda.
“House Bill 106 is a meaningful step towards honoring America’s diverse history and values. A national monument can serve as a powerful symbol of unity, reminding us of the principles that bind us together. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our heritage while inspiring future generations to appreciate and safeguard our shared narrative.”
Maybe we should just disband the Wyoming legislature if they have time for this sort of foolishness.
I would vote against a bill like this. I don’t feel that the Wyoming Vista needs to be enhanced by human hands. I am also against windfarms that obviously ruined the vistas and provide little power even to those who live around it.
Ummm NO!!
Wyoming has plenty of places that attract tourists. We don’t need another “trap”.
So, we already have one ozymandian folly celebrating manifest destiny at Mt Rushmore–now our legislators want to put a similar folly in Wyoming? The insults to Native America just keep on coming. This should be an easy one for Mark Gordon to veto. Should be.
Why don’t these folks jump in a van and take a tour of Wyoming together? That way, they could view Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone, the Tetons, Thermopolis hot springs, etc. and so forth – all the treasured places in Wyoming. The grandeur of these remarkable spaces might even shrink their outsized egos enough to allow common sense to seep into their craniums. Wyoming folks elect people to tackle the PROBLEMS in our state, not to be media influencers, creating backdrops for the next thrill seeking off-road vehicle commercial. Get cracking on what will improve the lives of your constituents, not your next career as a tourism mogul.
Please take a look at what tourism has done to CO. There are monetary gains but the expense of maintaining roads, facilities, etc to handle the impact of tourists is very steep. I think there’s better options
THIS is what the new legislature is setting as a priority? To be fair, so far it’s only a few but what a farce and a complete waste of public funds should it come to pass. I hope you have your ears on Mr. Harshman. Do better or move along!
The last thing, the very last thing, Wyoming needs is to deface our natural landscape for the sake of shallow tourist hucksterism. This is the worst idea I’ve heard, and yet I fear it won’t be the worst idea I’m going to hear from this asinine freedom caucus.
A monument, all right, a monument to stupidity, and an award of heads in the sand to what’s going on around them, to the sponsors of such drivel.
If you’re going to use Casper Planet stories you should give them credit.
Work began on Mt Rushmore in 1927 and finished in 1941 and these guy want to do something similar in size and scope in less than two years. Seems like they have a LOT of work to do.
There are literally a plethora of things Wyoming taxpayers monies could better spent on. One would be plow drivers, but there are many more, in my opinion this is a silly idea.
“why alter nature?”
“If that was the case, why would we build a house or build a fence or build a power line or, you know, build a water pipeline or do anything?” Harshman asked.
This is his argument?? He is stacking up these needs to a monument of someone’s ego? Please just say no! Wyoming attracts enough tourists with it’s natural beauty.
No. We need to treasure Wyoming’s natural landscape. Why do we have to carve ourselves into it? At least he didn’t propose to try to make Devils Tower’s unique and “fragile” geology into some monument to the Trump guy. Spend the money on education or food banks or, or, or other help for folks who could use the millions it would cost us? This is not a sensible, caring, intelligent use of Wyoming tax dollars.
What are they smoking at the state Capitol to come up with this idea? First they want to define what “woman” and “man” means, disenfranchise Wyoming citizens from voting with more restrictions on voter registration, and now they want to deface a beautiful mountainside somewhere? Really? How about they put the drug paraphernalia away and give a dam since one is failing and deal with other things we really need. But, perhaps, it’s easier to toke your real problems away than deal with reality. Adulting is hard. But try to Cowboy Up anyway.
Should’ve started this movement 15 years ago. No way it will be done in time for 2026.
Into each legislative session, a little levity must fall.
Alex i drove a plow truck for the state. Nobody makes $15 an hour. Try again
Great idea from baggs wyoming
Trump, Reagan, Dick Cheney, and Rupert Murdock in Mount Moran. I’ve been hearing rumors of changing the Grand Teton to Trump Mt. We could cash in on it.
How about cooperation? The Crazy Horse monument is unfinished, and you just might be recognized for great foresight partnering to finish construction that is a tribute to Native Americans.
At mount Rushmore there is no representation of any native Americans. Now with the land being taken from the Dakota as with mist land from tribes in wyoming they should be represented.
The legislature can simply annex the Black Hills into Wyoming, boom its done! Probably could get the Sturgis Rally in the same deal.
LOL, Emerson Scott you made my day. Thank you for the levity!
plus toll booths along I80 and I90 to help pay for it.
HELL NO! I have lived here since 1969, I vote a big HELL NO! Don’t destroy any mountains, they bring enough tourist dollars without carving Trump’s face on them, and I know that is what the freedumb caucus dweebs want to do.
Oh, my. This is one of the dumbest ideas I’ve seen come out of the legislature. And they’ve had dozens!
We have Yellowstone, the Devil’s Tower, and the Grand Tetons.
We don’t need something man-made. How many of us have visited Georgia’s Stone Mountain? Or heard of it?
I don’t know if it’s clear enough that I am agreeing with James Mason’s comment here. And with all the comments. This will bring in no tourists (thank God, look what they’ve done to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone), is a huge waste of money, and a horrible misuse of land.
Perfect! Do the big shots in Cheyenne have nothing to accomplish that they come up
with BS like this?
no healthcare or infrastructure, snow plow drivers are making 15$ an hour, no daycare, but sure lets do it. sounds great. freedumb
Amen!!
Is this or is it not a joke ?
Oh, I get it. The Wyoming version of the granite titans to rival Mt. Rushmore will feature Buffalo Bill , John Wayne , Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump. (That last one says Colorado will pay for it.) Perfect.
We could put lump of Wyoming coal up for Obama or petrified wood block up for Joe Biden
I was envisioning the same thing on a Wyoming version of Mt. Rushmore. Guess who would be the only people remaining in this state if those faces were carved into a beautiful Wyoming mountain.
Rather than destroy yet more scenery for likenesses of politicians, why not grind away Rushmore…?
This is the dumbest waste of money I’ve heard of in a long time. Even actual Mt Rushmore isn’t worth the visit apart from the surrounding mountains being beautiful. No one will come here to see this blight.
I agree totally.
We don’t want a ‘Wyoming Mt Rushmore’. We want health care.
I dont want tax payer money funding either.
Anything that requires Services/labor from another human being is not a “right”.
The Second Amendment — well regulated militia are only created by training. The Fifth amendment and the due process of law takes a heck of a lot of labor — right now Idaho’s jails are full due to overloaded courts and a broken Public Defender system.
And the Sixth and Seventh
— trial by Jury — my time on the jury wasn’t exactly free.
So not really.
What your blog have to do with Wyoming Mt Rushmore? The court system all over is overloaded and public defenders are in short supply as well. Maybe if these crooks had better parents/parenting they wouldn’t be sitting in the crowbar motel.
What right do you have that is special that the rest of us don’t? What right do you have that does not require the labor of others, not just now but through history? Your free speech right to be espousing nonsense on WF requires laws, enforcement, legislative action, lost soldiers, and a lot of work by the WYOFILE staff. Government exists to provide and insure those rights as well as all those guaranteed by the Constitution. And yes you have to pay taxes for that because without the labor of others you have no rights. You are simply suggesting that you get to decide who gets what.