Mt. Rushmore’s first permanent lighting system was dedicated with a star-studded show 75 years ago this week. The June 25, 1950, event featured syndicated columnist and radio host Drew Pearson, Universal movie star Van Heflin and singer Desire Ligeti. More than 5,000 visitors attended the ceremony.
It wasn’t the first time the Shrine to Democracy was lit, however. According to the Rapid City Journal, with the organizational aid of the Jaycees and equipment provided from the Rapid City Army Air Base (later known as Ellsworth), the granite faces were first illuminated during “I Am an American” week in 1948.
