fire!

-(left) Swanzey home in Keystone SD, late 1920s; (insert) former Swanzey home after July 1976 dedication; (right) former Swanzey home in flames, August 6, 1977.

The above photos are a reminder to document historic sites with lots and Lots and LOTS of photographs, both inside and out, and taken from all sides. And not to use flammable cleaning fluids while smoking. Duh.

Near the Post Office in Keystone, there is a marker about Carrie's life in Keystone. The marker is not where the Swanzey house stood. At Holy Terror Days this year, I met a man who had stood across the street from the house in 1977 and watched it burn. He showed me where to stand so that I was positioned right in front of where the front door was once located:


Mt. Rushmore Discount Souvenirs was built over multiple existing cellars, which are still separate from each other. Apparently some of the employees think that the cellars are haunted. The week I was there, one of them had heard waltz music playing in the basement, when there was no waltz music being played anywhere in the area.

I walked away humming "Waltz Me Around Again, Willie," one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's favorites.
- posted by pioneergirl at 9:29 PM