The famous past, present, and future of the Crazy Horse Memorial are represented by a Lakota Sioux warrior, a renowned artist, his family, and a granite canvas. The Crazy Horse Memorial is an impressive sight to watch.
The beauty of this sculpture is that you can also see it at night in the summer. Throughout the summer, the Crazy Horse Memorial is open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk. The “Legends in Light” laser-light show, projected on the mountain carving every night after dark from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, carries on the narration.
Read on to learn more about the Crazy Horse Memorial and the story behind the laser light shows.
Keep reading to get some helpful information about the sculpture before exploring it yourself.
History Of Crazy Horse Memorial
One of the enormous mountain carvings in the world is the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is situated in Custer, South Dakota. The mountain, the 27th tallest in South Dakota by elevation at 6532 feet above sea level, is located there. Mount Rushmore may be reached in just 35 minutes by car.
Two men, Korczak Ziolkowski and the Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, had the idea for the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Polish-born Korczak Ziolkowski began learning the craft of furniture making and woodworking before moving on to sculpture at a very young age. He contributed to numerous well-known sculptures, including Mount Rushmore.
The sculpture today is of the famous Crazy Horse. However, this was a different idea. Chief Henry Standing Bear urged Ziolkowski in a letter to erect a monument honoring North American Indians. The idea of Crazy Horse to Ziolkowski at this moment, when he wrote the famous reply, “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes also.”
Upon accepting Chief Standing Bear’s request, Ziolkowski committed the remainder of his life to the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Who Was Crazy Horse?
Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse was born around 1840. He commanded a group of Lakota warriors that engaged Custer’s Seventh US Cavalry unit in battle in 1876. The Little Bighorn Battle or Custer’s Final Stand is this event.
32 Indians, 9 officers, 280 enlisted troops, and Custer died that day. It was said that Crazy Horse had prevented the arrival of reinforcements.
An interesting fact about Crazy Horse is his adamant opposition to having his photo taken. He believed that his life would be cut short and a portion of his soul would be removed. Due to this, Ziolkowski’s depiction of Crazy Horse was based on accounts from Little Bighorn Battle survivors.
Read on to find out some of the interesting things to do at the memorial.
Things To Do At Crazy Horse Memorial
Laser Light Shows At Crazy Horse
During Memorial Day weekend through September 30, “Legends in Light,” the Crazy Horse Memorial multimedia laser-light spectacular, is performed every evening at dusk. The amazing laser light show transforms the slope into a massive 500-foot screen for the show.
This gives an artistic touch to the already artsy sculpture. Viewers get the pleasure of enjoying the memorial in a completely different aspect at night.
This storytelling uses lasers to highlight the cultural variety, recognize the shared traits, and promote inter-racial harmony and better understanding.
The memorial pays tribute to Native People, and “Legends in Light” dramatizes the tale of their rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and contributions to our society. The spectacle includes colorful animations, sound effects, and laser beams coordinated with music.
Watch this short video to get a glimpse of the late-night laser light show:
Crazy Horse Monument -Thunder Mountian- Laser/Light Show- Story of the Lakota Legends!
The Welcome Center And The Museum
Around 300 Native Nations’ history and culture are represented in an incredible array of artwork and exhibitions in these two sections. Moreover, there are two theaters and a beautiful gift shop where you may buy regionally made souvenirs and presents.
Sculpture Home And Studio
The sculptor Korczak and his wife Ruth still reside in this house. It was constructed in 1962. It is fascinating to go around this show and see all the unusual antiques Korczak acquired and the original artwork he produced.
The Original Lobby
In 2002–2003, the lobby was renovated. The visitor complex at Crazy Horse is the oldest here.
You can pick up a rock from Crazy Horse mountain here as a memento and check out the illuminated exhibit showcasing the mountain’s carving and development in the 1990s.
Laughing Water Restaurant
There is no requirement for reservations at the Laughing Water Restaurant. There are several seats available in the roomy restaurant. You can have some Tatanka stew or a Native American taco while seeing the Crazy Horse Monument.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get To Crazy Horse Memorial?
Crazy Horse is situated in Crazy Horse, South Dakota. About 4 miles north of Custer, the entry is located along US Route 16/385, also known as the Crazy Horse Memorial Highway. It is 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore National Monument and 9 miles south of Hill City.
You can see the monument far away from the highway as well. Moreover, there are numerous signboards providing the right direction to the visitors.
How Much Time Would It Take To See Everything?
It will take approximately 2.5 hours to see everything. However, you can easily spend much longer if you are not short on time. It is best to keep an open window of three to four hours to be secure and avoid feeling pressured.
How Much Does The Visit Cost?
The cost of the trip depends on the number of visitors in the car and at what time of the year you plan to visit the place. For instance, it will cost a vehicle with one person $12 if s(he) stays between October 1, 2022, to May 25, 2023. However, the cost from the same person will be $15 from May 26, 2023, onwards up till September 2023. Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial website for more details on the pricing plans.