Robinson’s original idea for the memorial was to portray heroes of the American West, including Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Red Cloud. However, Borglum wanted to appeal to a national audience and suggested featuring four presidents. Representing important events and themes in our history, Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were selected. Each face is approximately 60 feet in height and with noses longer than 20 feet. Their mouths are also about 18 feet wide.

Source: Department of the Interior