You likely have a vault or safe in your home that contains important belongings, but did you know that your home state has one, too? To make it even more South Dakota, this vault is hidden in our most iconic landmark and it's so secret that most people do not even know it exists.
Hiding out inside Mount Rushmore is the mysterious and fascinating Hall of Records.
Located behind Abraham Lincoln's head, the Hall of Records contains a few of the country's most unique artifacts; 16 porcelain enamel tablets depicting the creation of Mount Rushmore.
In addition, the hall contains copies of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. These have been left for future generations.
Engineered and dreamed up by Mount Rushmore sculpture Gutzon Borglum, the Hall of Records was intended to be an 800-foot stairway that led to a grand hall measuring 80 feet by 100 feet.
Sadly, because of Borglum's untimely death, these original plans never came to fruition, though the Hall was finally finished (albeit smaller) in 1998.
While the Hall of Records is not nearly as intricate as Borglum envisioned (the illustrations and hand-carved descriptions of various American landmarks never came to be), it is still a vital part of American history.
Because of its location and the nature of what it holds, the Hall of Records is not open to the public.
To learn more about the Hall of Records, please visit the National Park Service's website.
Check out this YouTube video by MountRushmoreNPS to learn more about the Hall of Records:
It is important to note that the creation of this monument is the subject of controversy, as it was carved into a site considered sacred to the original inhabitants (the Lakota Sioux). Though it is a cultural icon, its history should be recognized.
Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured here on Only in South Dakota?We would love to hear about it via our nomination form! For even more to see and do in the area, you will want to check out The Keystone Cemetery Is One Of South Dakota’s Spookiest Cemeteries.
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