Doane Robinson

Jonah LeRoy "Doane" Robinson (October 19, 1856 – November 27, 1946) was an American historian who was the state historian of South Dakota. He is known for conceiving of the idea for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills, which he believed would stimulate tourism to the area. Doane Robinson had introduced a bill to the South Dakota Legislature asking for permission and funds to scout a location for a massive carvings project; the sculpture was to include the Sioux Nation chief as well as local famous South Dakotans. While denied funding, he was granted permission to look for an area. He had initially suggested a well-known area of the Black Hills, Needles, named after large distinct eroded granite pillars.