Keystone is looking for 1972 flood memories

By Bev Pechan

At last week’s regular town board meeting, president David Cofoid said he had received correspondence from Pam Knapp, wondering if Keystone was planning to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1972 flood, which occurred on June 9 of that year. Nine people were counted among the dead in Keystone, all of whom were tourists.
Rapid City has been planning for over a year to recognize the disaster that claimed an official total of 238 lives. Besides the city, the Journey Museum is planning to install a permanent exhibit telling the story of that night and its aftermath.
Keystone has had its own dramas and tales of narrow escapes during that ordeal that are still vivid in the memories of residents and those of the surrounding area. The new Watson Park addition to Keystone’s city park had a river run through it at that time and there are stories out there about almost every kind of survival methods and close calls. By a lucky fluke, the town of Keystone was incorporated just a few weeks before flood waters rearranged the look of the place -- an act that fortunately allowed officials to apply for federal disaster aid and allowed for rebuilding.
Anyone who has a story to share about the 1972 Flood in Keystone is asked to attend the meeting to see if there is interest in erecting a permanent memorial and or additional ways to keep this important part of the town’s history preserved. It could be through museum displays, a book, video or oral interviews, written remembrances or a combination of any or all or perhaps something altogether different. A volunteer committee will be formed at the meeting to brainstorm the possibilities for observing the event next summer.
For more information, contact Vanessa or Bobbie at city hall at 666-4827.