1

A mountaintop with a maintenance plan

Image: Sebastian Enriqu

Each year, around two million visitors make their way to see the monument. But keeping the presidential faces looking sharp takes serious work. Park Service staff actually rappel down the mountain to inspect for cracks. They use silicone sealant to block out moisture and keep the granite from breaking apart in the cold. This isn’t a quick job, it’s a regular, careful operation. The mountain's top sits 5,725 feet above sea level, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

2

One historian’s tourism dream

Image: Engin Yapici

Back in 1923, South Dakota historian Doane Robinson had an idea to attract visitors to the Black Hills. Now, what was his original plan? Carve Western legends like Buffalo Bill and Native American leaders into the rock. The vision then shifted to feature US presidents for broader national appeal.

President Calvin Coolidge helped land the funding, even during tough economic times. The carving began in 1927 and stretched on until 1941. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum died before finishing, and his son Lincoln carried the torch to completion.

3

Four presidents, four chapters

Image: Jeromey Balderrama

Each face on the mountain stands for a key period in our nation’s story. Can you imagine what they are?

Washington symbolizes the birth of the country, while Jefferson represents growth and expansion. Lincoln stands for unity and the preservation of the nation during the Civil War. Roosevelt brought development and the rise of the US on the world stage. Together, they tell a chronological story in stone. The idea was to highlight leadership through the ages, not just popular figures.

4

A presidential switch

Image: Andrew Ling

Originally, Thomas Jefferson was supposed to be on Washington’s left. But during the carving, the rock proved too unstable. So they scrapped the partially finished face and started over, this time on the right side.

It was a major do-over that cost time and money, a lot of it! But ultimately, it worked out for the best, structurally speaking. Today, most visitors never realize Jefferson had a false start.

5

Dynamite and a dream

Image: Takefreebies

It’s easy to forget that Mount Rushmore wasn’t sculpted with tiny chisels: It was blasted into shape. Most of the work was done with dynamite, followed by finer detailing with jackhammers and drills.

From 1927 to 1941, about 400 workers shaped the mountain. Amazingly, no lives were lost during the entire project. Many of the workers were former miners, used to rough terrain and heavy tools. It wasn’t easy, but it was efficient.

6

The presidents were supposed to have torsos

Image: Thomas Fields

The original vision for the monument wasn’t just heads, it included bodies from the waist up! Imagine that! Like many grand ideas, it ran into budget troubles. Funding dried up, and with time running out, the project was scaled back.

What we see today is actually an unfinished version of Borglum’s full plan. Still, the heads alone have become iconic. Imagine how much more impressive it would’ve been with shoulders and coats.

7

Secrets behind Lincoln’s head

Image: Rosanne Rapata

There’s a hidden room carved into the mountain, did you know that? Called the Hall of Records, it was Borglum’s idea to store important American documents and artifacts.

While the grand plans for a museum inside the mountain were never fully realized, a titanium vault was placed there. It contains copies of key US documents, including the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Located behind Lincoln’s head, it’s not open to the public. Still, it adds an air of mystery to the site. It makes you wanna visit, right?

8

Step off the beaten path

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Most visitors snap their photos from the Grand View Terrace, and it’s lovely. But for those willing to take a short walk, the President’s Trail offers even better views.

This loop takes you closer to the monument and into nature. You might spot local wildlife like mountain goats or deer along the way. The trail includes about 422 stairs, so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes. It’s a quieter, more personal way to experience the monument.

9

Entablature

Image: Tommy Bond

Gutzon Borglum didn’t just want Mount Rushmore to be a visual tribute, he wanted it to tell the story of America, too. His idea was to chisel a brief summary history, covering events from 1776 to 1906, right into the rock face.

This massive engraving, called "Entablature," was to be etched into an 80-by-120-foot depiction of the Louisiana Purchase. President Calvin Coolidge even agreed to write it, but when Borglum edited Coolidge’s draft without permission, the president was so annoyed he refused to try again. Despite the grand vision, the project was eventually scrapped, partly because the lettering wouldn’t have been visible from a distance, and partly because the budget ran dry.

10

Don’t expect a fifth face anytime soon

Image: Ronda Darby

Over the years, people have suggested adding more figures to the mountain. Names like Susan B. Anthony, FDR, JFK, Reagan, Obama, and Trump have all come up. But the National Park Service has said a firm "no." Structurally, there’s just no safe place to add another carving. Plus, the monument is considered complete in its message. So, while the debate pops up now and then, don’t hold your breath. The original four are here to stay.

1

E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The friendship between Elliot and E.T. didn't just capture our hearts: it broke audience records, selling approximately 142 million tickets domestically, beating the incredibly successful Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). It held that record for over a decade, until Jurassic Park snatched the title in the 90s.

This Steven Spielberg classic starred Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore when she was still a child, and it featured a soundtrack by composer John Williams that made the audience feel like they were flying on a bicycle along with Elliot and his extraterrestrial friend.

2

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back contains one of the most famous lines in film history: "I am your father." The first installment of the Star Wars saga (later retitled as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) had been the biggest film of the 70s. As soon as the decade changed, Empire brought millions of fanatics to the theatres again. It sold around 98 million tickets in the US and Canada.

Directed by Irvin Kershner and produced by George Lucas, the film reunited audiences with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. The story follows the Rebel Alliance on the run. Though slightly less commercially dominant than its predecessor, it was still one of the top-grossing films of the decade.

3

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

By the time Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade hit theaters in 1989, the fedora-wearing archaeologist was already a global icon, having charmed audiences in the first two installments.

Three of the big names that were involved in this production have already been mentioned on this list: Director Steven Spielberg, producer George Lucas, and star Harrison Ford. This time, he was joined by the great Sean Connery playing his father. This installment sold an estimated 49 million tickets domestically.

4

Batman (1989)

When director Tim Burton took over the superhero’s story for this late-eighties movie, he gave a darker, stylized touch to the genre. Starring Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight alongside Jack Nicholson as the Joker, this film was a great departure from the comic book storytelling that audiences had gotten used to with the 60s iconic series in which Adam West played Gotham’s hero alongside Burt Ward as Robin.

The film sold around 62 million tickets locally and became the biggest commercial success of that year. Combined with an album filled with hits by superstar Prince, this movie was one of the first superhero blockbusters.

5

Back to the Future (1985)

This movie took the concept of time travel and worked it into one of the most beloved films of an era. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean built by the eccentric Doc Brown , played by Christopher Lloyd.

It was the highest-grossing movie of ‘85, selling 59 million tickets domestically. Its mix of comedy, science fiction, and heartfelt scenes made it a classic viewers love to rewatch.

6

Top Gun (1986)

Naval aviation had never stirred as much popular interest as when Tom Cruise played the daring pilot Maverick in this film. It was the most successful film of 1986, selling approximately 47 million tickets.

The action film, with high-speed aerial sequences and a strong focus on competition and camaraderie, boosted Navy recruitment in the years that followed its release . It also popularized songs like "Take My Breath Away" and "Danger Zone," and cemented Ray-Ban’s aviator sunglasses as a cultural icon.

7

Ghostbusters (1984)

"Who you gonna call?" Directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver, this film became one of the most beloved and memorable comedies of the decade. It earned nearly $300 million worldwide and sold 71 million tickets in North America alone, making it a huge success for the era.

Its theme song, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr., became a chart-topping hit, and the film’s imagery, from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to the proton packs, became instantly iconic.

8

Rain Man (1988)

This one film managed to make an impact without lightsabers, time-traveling machines, spaceships, aliens, ghosts, or men in capes. Rain Man showed Hollywood that character-driven stories could still become big hits.

Directed by Barry Levinson, the film stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman as newfound brothers who must embark on a cross-country journey. Selling around 43 million tickets, it was the highest-grossing film of its year, which meant the audiences loved it. It also went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Hoffman, which meant the critics loved it, too.

9

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Blending live action with animation had worked very well for Mary Poppins in 1964. Who Framed Roger Rabbit pushed boundaries of the technology and put it in the service of a film aimed at an older audience.

Directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, respectively, it starred Bob Hoskins amid a world shared by "toons," cartoon characters, which included Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit.

It was a major box office success, selling around 38 million tickets. It also won four Academy Awards, which praised its technical achievements.

10

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Directed by Adrian Lyne, this film was a huge triumph for Paramount: Its production cost only $14 million, and it went on to earn $320 million globally. Infidelity and obsession are the main themes of this dramatic thriller that stars Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The film sold around 40 million tickets domestically. Its box office popularity was thanks to word of mouth, as people recommended this adult suspense movie in conversations.

1

Pro: More local tax revenue

Data centers generate unusually large property-tax bills because they house millions of dollars' worth of servers and specialized equipment. That often makes them among the largest taxpayers in a county .

In Northern Virginia, tax revenue from data centers helps fund schools, roads, parks, libraries, and emergency services. Some counties report receiving far more in taxes than they spend on providing public services to these facilities.

2

Con: Constant noise

Cooling equipment, ventilation systems, and electrical infrastructure operate continuously to keep thousands of servers from overheating. Together, they can produce a steady mechanical hum day and night.

Residents living closest to certain facilities have complained that low-frequency noise is noticeable even indoors , especially during quiet nighttime hours when background noise is minimal.

3

Pro: Better infrastructure investment

Building a major data center often requires improvements to nearby infrastructure. Utilities may expand electrical capacity, while roads, substations, and water systems are upgraded before the facility opens .

Although these improvements primarily support the project itself, neighboring communities frequently benefit from stronger infrastructure that might otherwise have taken many years to receive through normal public investment.

4

Con: Massive electric consumption

Modern data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity because servers run continuously while powerful cooling systems remove the heat they generate around the clock .

As cloud computing and artificial intelligence continue expanding, experts expect electricity demand from American data centers to grow rapidly, requiring utilities to build additional generating and transmission capacity.

5

Pro: Construction jobs and economic activity

Constructing a hyperscale data center is a massive undertaking that can last several years. Hundreds of construction workers, electricians, engineers, truck drivers, and contractors may be involved during the building phase .

The project also boosts nearby hotels, restaurants, equipment suppliers, and local businesses serving the temporary workforce. Much of this economic activity occurs before the facility even begins operating.

6

Con: High water use

Many facilities use water-based cooling systems to improve efficiency, particularly during hot weather. Depending on the technology used, consumption can be significant throughout the year .

This has become a growing concern in drought-prone regions, where residents and local officials debate whether expanding technology campuses should compete with other important community water needs.

7

Pro: Some permanent high-paying jobs

Once completed, data centers require technicians, network specialists, electricians, maintenance engineers, and security staff to keep operations running around the clock without interruption.

Although permanent staffing is relatively small, many of these technical positions pay well above average local wages and can help attract additional technology companies to the surrounding area.

8

Con: Large, industrial-looking buildings

Most data centers are designed for function rather than appearance. They are typically large, windowless buildings surrounded by fences, cooling equipment, substations, and security systems.

Even with landscaping, these facilities often resemble industrial warehouses . Some residents worry they will permanently change the character of suburban neighborhoods or previously rural communities.

9

Pro: potential property-value gains in some markets

The effect on nearby home values varies from one community to another. In some growing technology regions, new investment has coincided with rising demand for housing and stable property prices .

Researchers caution that there is no universal rule. Local planning, neighborhood design, and overall economic growth all influence whether nearby homeowners ultimately benefit from higher property values.

10

Con: Limited long-term employment relative to their size

Construction creates hundreds of temporary jobs, but the finished facility usually requires only a relatively small permanent workforce to operate and maintain its systems .

Critics argue that billion-dollar campuses occupying vast amounts of land often provide far fewer long-term jobs than factories, manufacturing plants, or large distribution centers of similar size.

11

Pro: Very little traffic after construction

Construction brings heavy equipment, delivery trucks, and hundreds of workers. Once the building is finished, however, daily traffic usually drops dramatically compared with many other industrial sites .

Unlike warehouses or factories, operational data centers employ relatively few people. Most days, only technicians, maintenance crews, security personnel, and occasional service vehicles enter the property.

12

Con: Backup generator emissions and air quality concerns

Nearly every data center maintains large diesel backup generators that automatically provide power during electrical outages. They are also tested periodically to ensure reliable operation.

Although these engines are regulated under environmental laws, nearby residents sometimes express concerns about exhaust emissions, air quality, and the cumulative effects as more facilities are built .