24. The Process
The project was intended to attract tourism in the region, and that it did. It continues to bring over three million visitors each year, making it South Dakota’s largest attraction. The idea originated from historian Doane Robinson, who is responsible for persuading the famous to take part in the project. The original design had plans for each president to be depicted from the waist up, but due to lack of funding towards the end of the project, the final version stopped just below the neck.