Crazy Horse Memorial®

Crazy Horse, Chief Henry Standing Bear, Korczak, Ruth and the Ziolkowski Family. Hear the story of how it all started and how the dream has continued.

Hear the Story

Crazy Horse, Chief Henry Standing Bear, Korczak, Ruth and the Ziolkowski Family. Hear the story of how it all started and how the dream has continued.

Home >The History

What Henry Standing Bear and Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski enacted and what continues today is truly inspiring.

CRAZY HORSE - Tasunke Witco

Crazy Horse or Tasunke Witco was born as a member of the Oglala Lakota on Rapid Creek about 40 miles northeast of Thunderhead Mt. (now Crazy Horse Mountain) in c. 1840. More

Chief Henry Standing Bear

Brule Lakota Henry Standing Bear was born near Pierre, South Dakota, along the Missouri River – probably in 1874. In his early teens, Standing Bear became one of the first Native Americans to attend Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania where he took on the name of "Henry". More

Korczak - Storyteller in Stone

Without Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski there would be no Crazy Horse Memorial®. Its history revolves around his own extraordinary story, which is reflected in his log studio-home, workshop, and sculptural galleries at Crazy Horse. His life and work are an inspiration to many. More

Ruth Ziolkowski

In 1947, at the age of 20, Ruth arrived in the Black Hills as a volunteer to help create a memorial honoring the Native American Indian (Crazy Horse Memorial®). She helped Korczak prepare the logs for the log studio-home as well as the 741-step wooden staircase to the top of the Mountain. More

The Ziolkowski Family

Korczak, almost 40, knew that he had willingly dedicated his life to keeping his promise to the American Indian people. However, he did not know until later that he would marry Ruth Ross and they would have 10 children. This turn of events made him both happy and proud, and Crazy Horse became a family story. More

Sculptor Home & Studio

The original log home or “Big Room” as it is lovingly referred to by the Ziolkowski children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, is still used for family functions. Many Christmas dinners have been celebrated in this room for over 71 years! More

See the Memorial's progress through the years

Pictorial Timeline

Learn More About The Memorial's Present and Future

The Mountain

The future of the Mountain Carving is truly exciting. Progress is being made on a daily basis, and visitors are amazed by the awe-inspiring work that has been accomplished on the Mountain. More

Carving Crazy Horse Mountain

The actual carving of Crazy Horse Mountain continues with a perfect, and necessary, blend of skill and knowledge in engineering, geology, and art. More

"My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes also."

- Chief Henry Standing Bear

The Museums

The Indian Museum of North America® is home to a large collection of art and artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and cultures of over 300 Native Nations. More

The University

Chief Henry Standing Bear was a strong, proud, and progressive leader who believed that education was instrumental in preserving the culture and living heritage of the American Indian peoples. He was an eloquent writer and learned at an early age that he would be able to advance his ideals much more effectively using the mighty pen. More