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

Martha Linde's Special Golden Valley and Hesnard Museum

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 22, 2026

1. Martha Linde's Special Golden Valley and Hesnard Museum Marker

Inscription.

[Photo captions, clockwise from left, read]
• Martha Linde's Special Golden Valley - (Circa 1925). Looking west (L- R) is Mount Rushmore (before carving), Mount Baldy which Borglum once commented about carving Teddy Roosevelt on a horse, and Fisher Peak named for Frederick H. Fisher, onetime Mount Rushmore Worker. Grizzly Bear Creek meandered to the west behind the wax museum and the channel was later changed. Going further up the gulch you will see the Crag of Jesset, named for Major Jesse Tucker, the first superintendent at Mount Rushmore.

• The Hesnard Museum and Mine Tours was one of the first viable tourist businesses during the early carving years of Mount Rushmore. It was an open air building only open during the summer months. Note the sheets of mica hanging from the shutters. The Rushmore baseball team played on the field behind the building. The co-owners are (R-L) Josephine Hesnard and Ros[e] Reddick. The other lady seated is Winnie Hesnard, mother of Josephine. Note they sold Conoco gasoline for 19 cents a gallon.

• The "tree elk" was an interesting and eye catching fixture at the Hesnard Museum.

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The partners are mounted on the elk with Josephine Hesnard in front and Rose Reddick riding side saddle. The two-story Hazeltine home is in the background. It was Paul Hazeltine who provided saddle horses for President Calvin Coolidge and his group to travel to the base of Mount Rushmore for the inauguration on August 10, 1927.

Erected by Keystone Area Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1927.

Location. 43° 53.278′ N, 103° 25.572′ W. Marker is in Keystone, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 16A and Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 16A. Marker is adjacent to the National Presidential Wax Museum south parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 609 US Highway 16A, 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,

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 22, 2026

2. Martha Linde's Special Golden Valley and Hesnard Museum Marker

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: Purchasing The Slaves' Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flooded with Memories (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Jennings Bryan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. E. L. Trudeau (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Seated Lincoln (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gutzon Borglum (approx. ¼ mile away); Carrie Ingalls Swanzey (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1972 Battle Creek Flood (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keystone.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.