Keystone in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Site of Ernest "Peg Leg" Haase Blacksmith Shop
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 17, 2026
1. Site of Ernest "Peg Leg" Haase Blacksmith Shop Marker
On this location, Ernest "Peg Leg" Haase, the last blacksmith in Keystone, operated the last blacksmith shop in town, seen here behind a mounted contingent of the 4th Cavalry in the 1920s. Peg Leg (also called Peggy) remarkably was able to do the work of a blacksmith with only one good leg. James Halley IV, the proprietor of Halley's Store, remembers how Peg Leg would complain vehemently about having to buy shoes by the pair when he needed only one. Peggy was never able to convince any of the local merchants to sell him just one shoe.
[Right photo caption reads]
The first automobile in Keystone was a 1909 Hupmobile owned by James Halley III.
Erected 2005 by Keystone Area Historical Society. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 43° 53.797′ N, 103° 25.125′ W. Marker is in Keystone, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is on 1st Street (State Highway 40) north of Mitchell Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Black Hills, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Keystone Trading Company/Halley's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Office of Eugene B. Hultz, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Holy Terror Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); Keystone Battle Creek Cultural Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Halley's Store Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); US Forest Service Icehouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. 4th Cavalry Bivouac (about 300 feet away); Historic Keystone in the early 1940s (about 300 feet
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 17, 2026
2. Site of Ernest "Peg Leg" Haase Blacksmith Shop Marker
Also see . . . Historic Keystone Walking Tour. (Submitted on October 2, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
