9 Fascinating Facts About Mount Rushmore You Probably Didn’t Know

Learn about hidden chambers, optical illusions, and even a little-known secret concerning the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

By Lisa Cheng

Lisa Cheng Lisa Cheng is a writer and editor whose wanderlust has taken her from Malaga, Spain to the Upper Irrawaddy in Myanmar. When she’s not covering travel, she’s making dumplings, dabbling in new languages, or going for hikes in local parks.

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Updated on October 24, 2026

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

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The initial design of Mount Rushmore included regional figures like Lewis and Clark, not the four presidents we see today.

A hidden chamber was partially built behind Lincoln’s head, intended to hold American history records.

There have been multiple suggestions to add more faces to Mount Rushmore, including those of Susan B.…