The Noses

The Presidents' Noses

By Jean L.S. Patrick
Author of Face to Face with Mount Rushmore
and Who Carved the Mountain? The Story of Mount Rushmore

When some people look at Mount Rushmore,
they think about serious things like freedom and democracy.

But other people wonder about the noses.

What about you? If you're still thinking about noses, keep reading.

Q: Are the noses hollow?

A: No. The nostrils are only slight indentations in the rock. The shadows make them look hollow.

Q: How long are the presidents' noses?

A: Each nose is about twenty feet long. How long is that? Pretend you're shooting free throws on a basketball court. The presidents' noses are twice as high as the rim!

Q: Who carved the nostrils?

A: Jack Payne was one of the carvers. He said that carving the nostrils was "a miserable job." As he drilled, he had to aim the jackhammer (or pneumatic drill) directly above his head. As a result, the hot granite dust fell down his neck.

Q: Why did the workers like George Washington's nose?

A: Worker Emmet Oslund said, "Anytime it rained, nine of us men could hide underneath his nose to stay dry."

Q: Which president is this?

A: Theodore Roosevelt.

Q: Are his eyeglasses real?

A: Hey, that's not a nose question! But here's the answer. The workers only carved the nose piece and a part of the frame. The rest of the eyeglasses are created by your imagination.

For more information about the carving of the four faces, read Who Carved the Mountain: The Story of Mount Rushmore and Face to Face with Mount Rushmore.