A group of Wyoming lawmakers has introduced a bill that could pave the way for a monumental addition to the state’s landscape, Wyo File reports.
House Bill 106, known as the “Monument to America” proposal, seeks to create a task force to design a large-scale monument similar in size and scope to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. The monument would honor key historical figures from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, celebrating 250 years of American history.
Rep. Steve Harshman (R-Casper), the bill’s principal sponsor, envisions the project as both a tribute to American heritage and a potential boon for Wyoming’s economy.
“It’s been incredibly successful,” Harshman said of Mount Rushmore.
He cited its annual 2.5 million visitors and half a billion dollars in economic impact for South Dakota’s Black Hills region.
The proposed Wyoming monument would be located on state school trust land, generating ongoing revenue for schools and public institutions. The bill allocates $40,000 to establish a task force, which would develop recommendations by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Mount Rushmore, completed between 1927 and 1941, serves as the model for Wyoming’s monument. The South Dakota memorial features 60-foot-high granite carvings of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. However, Harshman acknowledges that Mount Rushmore is not without its complexities. The site, once sacred to the Lakota people, became a flashpoint for conflicts over land rights and cultural heritage.
Addressing potential criticism, Harshman emphasized that Wyoming’s monument would include input from Indigenous communities.
“I have our Wyoming tribes on the committee as well,” he said.
Harshman noted that while historical figures are not without flaws, their contributions remain significant.
The proposed monument has garnered support from five co-sponsors, including both Republicans and a Democrat, but Harshman recognizes the idea may face resistance. Critics could argue that altering natural landscapes for monuments is unnecessary or environmentally disruptive. Harshman counters that human development has always shaped the land, citing examples like houses, fences, and pipelines.
