Deep Dive - Our State Nickname

From postcards to license plates, the granite faces of Mount Rushmore have become the symbol most associated with South Dakota. But how did this monument go from a tourist attraction to defining the state’s very nickname?

In this episode we take a deep dive into how South Dakota officially became The Mount Rushmore State in 1992—and why that name carries more weight than most realize. You’ll hear the backstory of the monument’s construction, its cultural impact, the economic boost it provides, and the deeper conversations it continues to spark—especially among the Lakota people whose sacred Black Hills were used to create it.

We’ll also explore how this national treasure ties into life in Sioux Falls—from tourism dollars and road trip traditions to its presence in classrooms and civic pride.

Whether you see it as a symbol of national unity or a complicated piece of American history, Mount Rushmore remains one of South Dakota’s most enduring and iconic features.