Photographs of Mount Rushmore Before Carving: Yes, They Exist

Contrary to a common misconception, photographs of Mount Rushmore before carving do exist.

Timeline

• 1839: Photography invented (daguerreotype).
• 1927–1941: Rushmore carving period.

Thus, the mountain was photographed for nearly 90 years before work began. Early images show the unaltered granite face of the Black Hills.

Historical Photos

The National Park Service and archives hold pre-construction photos, documenting the site’s natural state and the progression of carving.

The claim that “photography had not been invented” is incorrect.