Keystone, South Dakota is a small town located in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The town is situated at an elevation of 5,300 feet and sits atop a hill overlooking the surrounding prairie. Keystone is surrounded by pine forests and grasslands with stunning views of the nearby mountains.
The climate in Keystone is typical of the region, with cold winters and warm summers. Average winter temperatures range from lows in the single digits to highs in the mid-30s, while summer temperatures range from lows in the mid-40s to highs in the low 80s. Snowfall averages around 25 inches per year and precipitation usually comes during summer thunderstorms or winter snowstorms.
The terrain around Keystone consists mostly of rolling hills covered with pine trees, grasses, and shrubs. The nearby Black Hills are home to a variety of wildlife including bison, elk, deer, mountain goats, and pronghorn antelope. There are also many species of birds that can be spotted throughout the area including bald eagles, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, songbirds and more.
Keystone has a population of just over 500 people who are mostly employed in tourism-related industries such as lodging, restaurants and retail stores. Other local businesses include construction companies and agricultural operations such as beef cattle ranches and wheat farms.
The town’s main attraction is Mount Rushmore National Memorial which was built on land donated by Keystone resident Doane Robinson in 1923. Every year thousands of visitors flock to this iconic landmark which features 60-foot sculptures of four U.S presidents carved into granite cliffs overlooking Keystone Valley below them. Other popular attractions include Crazy Horse Memorial which honors Native American leader Crazy Horse; Wind Cave National Park which protects one of the world’s longest caves; Custer State Park which features scenic drives through its 1 million acres; Jewel Cave National Monument which contains one of the world’s longest cave systems; Badlands National Park which boasts rugged buttes and pinnacles; Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway featuring towering limestone cliffs; Mount Rushmore Skyline Trail for breathtaking views; Sylvan Lake for swimming or fishing; Harney Peak for hiking or camping; Needles Highway for its narrow tunnels carved through granite spires; Iron Mountain Road full of twists turns and pigtail bridges; plus plenty more.
In short, Keystone South Dakota offers visitors a beautiful natural setting full of outdoor activities amid stunning landscapes unlike any other place on earth.
History of Keystone, South Dakota
Keystone, South Dakota has a long and varied history. The area was first inhabited by the Sioux and Cheyenne Native American tribes who lived in the Black Hills region for thousands of years. Europeans first began settling in the area in the mid-1800s when miners arrived to search for gold and other minerals. The town of Keystone was founded in 1883 by miners looking to establish a permanent settlement.
The town quickly grew as more settlers arrived, drawn to the area’s abundance of natural resources such as timber, coal, and minerals. In 1889, Keystone became an official city with a population of 1,000 people. The city soon flourished as it became a hub for trade and transportation with the completion of several railroads connecting it to other nearby towns.
In 1923, local resident Doane Robinson donated part of his land to create Mount Rushmore National Memorial which quickly became one of Keystone’s main attractions. During the Great Depression, Keystone saw an influx of people seeking employment opportunities at Mount Rushmore or other nearby businesses such as logging companies or tourist destinations like Sylvan Lake or Harney Peak.
During World War II, many Keystone residents served in the military while others worked on farms or factories that supplied food and materials for troops overseas. Afterward, Keystone began growing again as tourism increased due to its proximity to Mount Rushmore; new businesses emerged; and more families moved into the area looking for better economic opportunities or simply a place to call home.
Today, Keystone remains an important hub for both locals and tourists alike with its quaint downtown shopping district featuring unique boutiques; several restaurants serving up hearty meals; numerous outdoor activities like hiking trails; camping sites; fishing spots; horseback riding tours; plus plenty more. Though times have changed since its early days as a mining settlement in 1883, this small town still retains its charming character that has made it so special over time.
Economy of Keystone, South Dakota
According to maternityetchic, Keystone, South Dakota is a small town located in the Black Hills region and it has a population of about 1,000 people. It is known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and its abundance of natural resources such as timber, coal, and minerals. As such, Keystone’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and resource extraction.
Tourism has long been a major source of revenue for Keystone. The town is home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial which attracts thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. Visitors can take tours of the monument or enjoy other activities such as camping sites; fishing spots; horseback riding tours; hiking trails; and more. There are also several restaurants and unique boutiques in the downtown shopping district that draw tourists into the area.
In addition to tourism, Keystone’s economy relies heavily on resource extraction. The area has long been known for its abundance of minerals including gold which was first discovered in 1883 by miners who founded the town. Other minerals such as copper, lead, zinc, silver, uranium are also mined in the region and provide jobs for many locals. Timber is another important source of income with several logging companies operating in the area and providing employment opportunities as well as supplying wood for use in construction projects throughout South Dakota.
The Great Depression saw an influx of people moving to Keystone looking for employment opportunities at Mount Rushmore or other nearby businesses such as logging companies or tourist destinations like Sylvan Lake or Harney Peak. During World War II many locals served in the military while others worked on farms or factories that supplied food and materials for troops overseas. Afterward, Keystone began growing again due to increased tourism but also because more families moved into the area looking for better economic opportunities or simply a place to call home.
Today, Keystone’s economy remains largely driven by tourism although resource extraction continues to play an important role with local miners still supplying gold and other minerals from nearby mines while logging companies continue to provide timber resources throughout South Dakota. The city also benefits from new businesses emerging over time which have helped diversify its economic base even further while providing more employment opportunities for locals.
Politics in Keystone, South Dakota
Politics in Keystone, South Dakota are largely dominated by the Republican Party. The city is represented at the federal level by Representative Dusty Johnson, who was elected to serve South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. At the state level, Keystone is represented by Senator John Thune and Representative Mike Rounds, both of whom are Republicans.
The local government of Keystone is composed of a mayor and six city council members who are elected to two-year terms by the town’s citizens. The mayor is responsible for setting policy and overseeing all municipal operations while the council members serve as an advisory body to the mayor on various issues affecting the town.
In addition to electing officials to represent them at various levels of government, residents of Keystone also have several opportunities for civic engagement such as volunteering with local organizations or attending public meetings where they can provide input on various policy matters that affect their lives and community.
Keystone residents also have access to many resources that can help them stay informed about local politics and current events such as newspapers, radio stations, television stations, websites and other outlets that cover news related to Keystone and South Dakota as a whole.
Politics in Keystone tend to reflect those found throughout South Dakota with conservative values being dominant among both elected officials and constituents alike. The city has a long history of voting overwhelmingly Republican in elections at all levels of government which has helped ensure that conservative policies remain firmly entrenched in local politics for years to come.