Keystone in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Site of the McDonald Hotel

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 21, 2026

1. Site of the McDonald Hotel Marker

Inscription.

The McDonald Hotel, which was located on this site, was considered one of the finest and most luxurious hotels in the Black Hills during the 1890s. The main floor housed the lobby, kitchen, and dining room of the hotel. The horseless carriage [seen in the main photo], a Hupmobile belonging to head cashier, James Halley III, was the first automobile in Keystone, circa 1909. The Harney Peak Bank, later named the Keystone Bank, was located on the main floor. When the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1921, the cashier's cage from the bank was saved by local miners and businessmen. Now it is located at Halley's Store, down the street to your right.

[Right side photo captions, top and bottom, read]
• School Parade circa 1910

• The McDonald Hotel featured a seven-foot diameter "lazy susan" so the diners could help themselves when seated at the table. James Halley III [highlighted in the photo]

Erected 2005 by Keystone Area Historical Society. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 43° 53.735′ N,

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103° 25.128′ W. Marker is in Keystone, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is at the intersection of 1st Street (State Highway 40) and Franklin Street, on the left when traveling north on 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 1st Street, Keystone SD 57751, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: William and Jennie Franklin (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Hoy and the Hoy Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); US Forest Service Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hayes-Hopkins Supply Company (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 21, 2026

2. Site of the McDonald Hotel Marker

Keystone Battle Creek Cultural Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Office of Eugene B. Hultz, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Upham and the Upham Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Keystone Trading Company/Halley's Store (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keystone.

Also see . . . Historic Keystone Walking Tour. (Submitted on October 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.