Have you ever looked at Mount Rushmore and wondered why those presidents were chosen for the monument? If you are planning to visit this iconic American monument, you can enhance your experience by brushing up on some presidential facts before you stand under Mount Rushmore.
The best place to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and the many other South Dakota attractions is close by at the Rushmore Express. It’s hard to find lodging closer to Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota.
Save time and money when you are so close to the region’s excellent things to do. Learn more about the presidents on Mount Rushmore by memorizing some of these facts.
Unique Facts About the Presidents on Mount Rushmore
Here’s what you need to know about each President on Mount Rushmore to impress your friends and family before visiting.
George Washington
- George Washington started the opening conflict of the French and Indian War when he was 22 years old.
- After the presidency, he returned to Mount Vernon and launched one of the largest whiskey distilleries in America.
- He favored mules over donkeys.
- His teeth were not wooden. He wore dentures made from human teeth, cow teeth, horse teeth, ivory, lead, metal alloys, and gold. He had dental issues for his entire life, and by the time he was sworn in as President, he had only one natural tooth.
- He owned a parrot named Polly. It is said that during the Revolutionary War, Washington used strong language laced with profanity. Polly picked up on several phrases.
Thomas Jefferson
- He collected fossils and was fascinated by animals that once roamed North America.
- Jefferson designed several buildings, such as the University of Virginia, the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, his main home (Monticello), and his vacation home (Poplar Forest).
- He was one of the great wine experts of early America and a food enthusiast too. He tried to grow wine grapes in two vineyards at Monticello. Some of the White House menus popularized some foods like ice cream and mac ‘n’ cheese.
- He may have had the largest collection of books in the United States at the time, containing almost 6,500 volumes/
- Jefferson was against slavery, but was an enslaver until his death.
Theodore Roosevelt
- First President to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
- Blind in one eye after a boxing injury in the White House.
- Youngest President in U.S. history so far, at 42 years old.
- Roosevelt was responsible for adding electricity and the West Wing to the White House. He also created a dedicated press room, despite sparring with investigative journalists or “muckrakers,” as he called some of them.
- He loved animals. His family in the White House had snakes, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, a macaw, a badger, and a pony that is said to have ridden the elevator in the White House.
Abraham Lincoln
- Tallest President in U.S. history, so far, at 6’ 4”.
- Abraham Lincoln is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
- He was the first president to grow a beard.
- The only U.S. president to hold a registered patent. You can look it up yourself. U.S. Patent No. 6,469 on May 22, 1849, for a flotation system.
- Lincoln stored important letters, speeches, notes, and legal briefs inside the inner lining of his hat.
Learn More Facts About The Presidents On Mount Rushmore When You Visit
There are many more Mount Rushmore facts and other facts about the presidents you can learn when you book directly with Rushmore Express.
On-site amenities include 55-inch televisions, complimentary wifi, queen-size beds, granite fireplaces, tall ceilings, and local artwork. To book a well-deserved getaway to lovely Keystone, please call us today at 605-666-4483.