Some capitols are classic, such the gleaming-white, iconic U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.  And some have a more contemporary design, like this one in North Dakota.

I had just the right light on this majestic capitol in Bismarck, with a background of puffs and blue sky.  This 19-story structure replaced the original capitol that burned down in the 1930s.  The vast, green-grass vista that surrounds the capitol building, helps its silhouette stand out.

I love North and South Dakota.  Both states have interesting and unusual tourist attractions.  Everyone knows about Mount Rushmore located in South Dakota, and what could be a more shining example of Americana than showing off the sculpted profiles of four of our presidents.  But there is another stunning mountain, not far from Rushmore, that is moulded into the form of Sioux Indian warrior Crazy Horse.  It will not be completed in my lifetime, but when it is finished, it will be four times the size of Rushmore.

You can begin to see the face of the famous Indian. The horses head in front will be blasted out in future years. The carving of the mountain was created by sculptor  Korczak Ziolkowski beginning June 3, 1948. The memorial’s mission is to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of all North American Indians. Classic images like these are easy to create in the Dakotas, where art is found in many unusual places.

Carol M. Highsmith is a professional photographer who has been traveling America for the past 30 years.  She is donating her entire collection of images to the Library of Congress, copyright-free.