By Sandra Petersen
The History of Keystone, South Dakota
Keystone lies central to many of the attractions which draw visitors to this region of the Midwestern
United States. The Crazy Horse Memorial Monument, the 1880 Train and Custer State Park are within minutes driving distance from the small town.
History
The first gold claim of any substantial size and profit in this area was found by three miners in 1891 and the town grew up around it. Eventually, there were six mines around the community of Keystone.
Significance
Besides its past as a gold-mining boom town, Keystone is the entry point on the highway which leads into the Mount Rushmore National Monument where the faces of four presidents were carved from 1927 to 1941.
Geography
Keystone is located in the southern Black Hills of western South Dakota. Mount Rushmore National Monument is about four miles to the southwest. Rushmore Cave is five miles to the east of Keystone.
Fun Fact
Keystone's name came from one of the three miners who founded the town with their gold claim. He originally came from Pennsylvania, known as the Keystone State.
Famous Ties
Laura Ingalls Wilder's younger sister Carrie lived in Keystone with her family from 1911 to 1946. Ben Black Elk of the Lakota Sioux was closely associated with Mount Rushmore and appeared in several Hollywood movies.
Resources
About the Author:
For almost four years, Sandra Petersen has written fiction stories and non-fiction articles for sites like FaithWriters, Associated Content, Helium, Textbroker, and Triond as well as Demand Studios. Petersen attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior and earned her Bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in music education.
Photo Credits:
velo4it, http://www.flckr.com/photos/velo4it/1731825415/
