Doane Robinson (1856-1946), South Dakota state historian from 1901 to 1926, proposed in January 1924 that legendary figures of the American West be carved into the Black Hills Needles formation as a major attraction to draw visitors and help develop tourism to diversify the state economy. After sharing the idea with Senator Peter Norbeck, who provided key political support, Robinson and artist Gutzon Borglum agreed that presidents of national significance should be the subjects and that Mount Rushmore was the best site. Robinson worked with the state legislature to secure initial funding, coordinated with Norbeck for Borglum’s first visits, promoted the project around the state, and became an early leader of the memorial association, while Borglum’s final design for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was built from 1927 to 1941.