From Wikitravel
Deadwood [1] is a town in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is
rivaled only by Tombstone, Arizona as America's most storied town from the
wild frontier days.
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Dead man's hand
In 1876 "Wild Bill" Hickok, a legendary gunfighter, was shot in
the back of his head while he was playing poker. Legend has it that
Hickok was unable to find a seat in the parlor where his back would
be against a wall, thus preventing any sneak attacks from behind.
As a result he sat with his back to the door and was later killed
by Jack McCall. Legend has it that Wild Bill's hand when he was
murdered was a pair of aces and eights, a hand that has become
known as the Dead man's hand due to Hickok's unfortunate
luck. The fifth card is a matter of debate, with some people
claiming that it had not been dealt or that it was possibly a five
or nine of diamonds.
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In 1874, famed Army commander George Custer led an expedition
into the area and announced that he and his men had discovered gold
nearby, in what is today Custer, South Dakota. Two years later brothers
Charlie and Steve Utter led a wagon train into Deadwood containing
essential business supplies - prostitutes and cards - which led to
a boost in industries such as booze, gambling parlors, and
brothels. During this time notorious gunfighter "Wild Bill" Hickok
helped the Utter brothers by scouting out any troubles the train
might encounter. That same year "Wild Bill" was shot in the head
while playing poker at the Saloon No. 10. His killer, "the coward
Jack McCall", was captured, tried by a group of miners, freed,
re-captured, re-tried by a court, and hanged. Legal proceedings
have, thankfully, grown somewhat more standardized in the years
since that famous crime.
Historical marker, Deadwood
Another legendary event was the Horsemeat March of 1876 where
General Cook led an expedition pursuing a band of Sioux natives
fleeing the site of Custer's last stand, the Battle of Little Big
Horn. General Cook and his men set off in pursuit with reduced
rations in order to give a quicker chase, but they did not predict
that the Sioux would burn the grass behind them. As a result, both
the horses and the men had no food and the men eventually were
forced to shoot their own horses for food.
Two major fires struck the town in the late 19th century. In
1879, nearly the entire town burned to the ground, including the
popular brothel known as the Gem Theater. The owner, Al Swearengen,
rebuilt the Gem bigger and more extravagantly than its predecessor.
The town lost many of its residents, itinerant miners whose only
possessions were destroyed in the fire, but Deadwood eventually
recovered. Swearengen's command of vice led him into conflict with
Sheriff Seth Bullock, a stern Western lawman and another of the
town's earliest residents. The town began to flourish again, but
was devastated once more by fire in 1894. Sheriff Seth Bullock and
some of the other residents stayed and rebuilt even stronger than
before, but this time, Swearengen left town. He was last seen as a
penniless drunk, killed while trying to catch a train to
Colorado.
The town's storied history was the inspiration for the HBO hit
TV series Deadwood, which centered around Bullock,
Swearengen, and the struggles of Deadwood to rise from a lawless
miners' camp to a community and a civilization. The show
incorporates many of the town's early residents and events
including the depiction of a man who survived for half-an-hour
after being shot in the head by a prostitute.
In 1989, Deadwood legalized gambling, making it the third place
in the United States to legalize gambling after Atlantic City and
the state of Nevada, albeit at
more limited stakes than its predecessors.
Keep in mind that despite it's high aspirations, Deadwood is
still a very small town (Less than 2000 people) in a sparsely
populated area.
Get in
Deadwood lies 42 miles northwest of Rapid City on US Route 14A. If you're
driving from Rapid City you'll need to follow I-90 to Sturgis and merge onto US Route
14A West and drive for 12 miles before arriving in Deadwood.
If you're coming from Wyoming on I-90, take exit 17 towards
Deadwood and drive for 8 miles to get into town.
Deadwood and the Black Hills area are best traveled by car (or
horse), but Airport Express (605-399-9999), Discovery Tours
(1-888-524-5655) and Dakota Taxi (605-920-2020) can provide
transportation from the Rapid City airport.
Prairie Hills Transit offers 1 way and round trip transportation
to and from Rapid City for 15$ 1 way and 22$ R/T.
Rates(PDF File)
Get around
Most of the restaurants, hotels, shops and sights are located on
Main Street, within easy reach of each other on foot (save for
snowstorms). Free parking is available in the lot on Sherman Street
which is a few blocks from main street, but there is metered
parking scattered throughout most of the town as well. There is
also a parking garage near main street. A trolley service runs
Sunday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Friday & Saturday
7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. for most of the year, but Sunday-Thursday
hours are reduced to 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight during the winter.
The cost is very cheap at $1 per ride.
The Visitors Bureau (767 Main Street,
1-800-999-1876) has maps and the usual array of tour brochures.
They're also available at the History and Information Center on
Sherman Street.
Driving in Deadwood is fairly easy, as the streets are lightly
trafficked and all of the sights are either on Main Street or
clearly marked. Deadwood winters can be very severe, however, so if
you want to rent a car in the winter months (Late September-Late
April, with snow still being possible as late as May and even June)
be sure it can get around.
Recently, a company called Rushmore Segway has been offering
guided, 90-minute Segway tours of the town. The tour office is
located at the Days of '76 Rodeo grounds.
- Adams House Museum, 22 Van Buren Ave, ☎ 605.578.3724, [2]. 9-5. Built by the
Franklins, this Queen-Anne styled mansion is nearly perfectly
preserved since being purchased by W.E. Adams. Tours are about half
an hour. $5. edit
- Adams Museum, 54 Sherman Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1714, [3]. Summer (May 1 - September 30): Daily: 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Winter hours (October 1 - April 30): Tuesday through Saturday:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the winter the museum is closed Sundays,
Mondays and winter holidays.. Free
admission, however a $3 per adult, $2 per child is
encouraged. edit
- Mount Moriah Cemetery, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2600. Overlooking the town from a steep hill to the
north, Mount Moriah offers remarkable views of the area and the
entire town, as well as the graves of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane and
a few lesser-known luminaries from the Old West. (Seth Bullock's
grave lies on a hill above the rest, a quiet ten minute climb
away.) It is a well-kept cemetery with a beautiful cover of trees.
Mount Moriah can be reached on foot from the town, although it's a
steep climb. Maps are available at the gate. edit
- Nelson's Garage Car Museum, 629 Main
Street (Located in the
Celebrity Hotel & Casino), ☎ +1-(605)-578-1909, [4].
This museum has collected some of the
world's most recognized automobiles such as the jeep from TV's
M*A*S*H, Magnum P.I.'s Ferrari and James Bond's Aston
Martin. Free admission. edit
- David Young's Bronze Sculpture Gallery, 608 Main
Street (Located in Wild
West Winner's Club), ☎ +1-(605)-578-3990. edit
- Tatanka: Story of the Bison, Highway 85
(One mile north of Deadwood),
☎ +1-(605)-584-5678 (tatankadebp@rapidnet.com,
fax: +1-(605)-578-2070), [5]. Hours: May 15th - September 30th 9 a.m. - 5
p.m.. Tatanka explores the history
of the North American buffalo, which at one time had a population
in excess of 30 million, but by the close of the 19th century the
bison population was estimated at only 1,000. Admission: Daily Passes: Senior (65+): $6.50; Adult
(12+ years): $7.50; Child (6-11 years): $5.50; Children (5 years
and under): Free. edit
- Historic Ghost Tour (Historic Bullock Hotel), 633 Main
Street. Participate in this
famous historic Ghost Tour hosted by costumed reenactors portraying
Sheriff Seth Bullock or his wife, Martha. $5.00. edit
- Madam Henrico Fortune Telling (Miss Kitty's Casino), 649 Main
Street. Friday & Saturday
Evenings. Experience an historical
reenactment of Madam Henrico Livingstone, Deadwood Gulch's first
female clairvoyant, card reader and fortune teller. Free. edit
Gambling
Many of the hotels, bars and restaurants also offer gambling,
although that may range from a row of slot machines to private
poker and blackjack rooms, depending on the quality of the
establishment. Most casinos also offer free food and drinks so long
as you're gambling (Or at least looking like you are)
- Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort, 304 Cliff on Hwy 85
South, ☎ 800-695-1876, [6]. Tucked back in the trees, this in town
resort/casino has an out of town feel. It's known for its
hospitality, up to date gaming, and great food. edit
- Midnight Star, 677 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1555. One of Deadwood's casinos, but this one is
notable for being owned by Kevin Costner, whose film memorabilia
line the walls. edit
- Silverado Casino, 709 Main Street, ☎ 800-584-7005, [7]. The Silverado recently acquired the Franklin
Hotel, making them one of the largest full-service gaming
establishments in Deadwood. edit
- Old Style Saloon No. 10's The Utter Place,
657 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-3346, [8]. Daily: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.. Named for the establishment where Wild Bill was
murdered. It's one block south of the actual location. There are
signs noting where Wild Bill was actually shot and were they
captured the hook-nosed assassin Jack McCall. edit
- Celebrity Casino, 629 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1909 (reservations@celebritycasinos.com),
[10]. Daily: 24 hours. This Casino is popular for its displays of
authentic movie props, celebrity instruments and famous
automobiles. edit
- Gold
Dust, 688
Main Street, ☎ +1-(6050-578-2100
or 800-456-0533, [11]. Daily:
24 hours. The Gold Dust is one of
the larger establishments in Deadwood, Spanning 8 rooms over two
properties. The Gold Dust also operates the Holiday Inn
Express. edit
- Deadwood Gift Shoppe, 666 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-722-4975 (deadwoodgifts@rushmore.com),
[12]. Sells clothing, jewelry, souveniors and other
goods made in South Dakota. edit
- Black, 11810 Gilt Edge Road, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1553 (rhanna@iw.net), [13]. Sells outdoor decor, statues, and
statuettes. edit
- Chubby Chipmunk Hand Dipped Chocolates, 420 Cliff
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-722-2447, [14]. Handmade chocolates by Mary "Chip" Tautkus who
has been inventing and making truffles for years. edit
- Deadwood Tobacco Co, Basement of 828 Main, ☎ +1-(605)-722-1510, [15]. 12 noon to 12 midnight, closed Tuesdays. A good selection of high quality tobacco
products and a well stocked bar. The cigar humidor is the largest
in South Dakota, with many hard to find cigars. They have live
music most weekends and are the only bar in town without any
gambling. edit
- B.B.
Cody's, 681
Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-555-5555. edit
- Best Western Hickok House, 137 Charles
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1611,
[16]. edit
- Bourbon Street Casino, 669-671 Main Street &
29 Lee Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1297. edit
- Cadillac Jack's Restaurant, 360 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1500, [17]. edit
- Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort - Creekside
Restaurant, Highway 85 South, ☎ +1-(605)-578-7740, [18].
edit
- Deadwood Social Club - Old Style Saloon #10,
657 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-3346, [19]. edit
- Diamond Lil's, 677 Main Street. edit
- Four Aces Restaurant, 531 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2323, [21].
edit
- Jakes: Fine Dining, 677 Main Street, ☎ 16055783656, [23]. 5pm-10pm. edit
- Miss
Kitty's, 649
Main Street. edit
- Chinatown Cafe, 649 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-7778. edit
- Consuelos, 649 Main Street. edit
- Mustang Sally's, 634 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2025. edit
- Oyster Bay Restaurant, 626 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2205. edit
- Pizza
Hut, 11
Charles Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2443, [24]. Part of the nation-wide pizzeria chain.
edit
- Silverado Grand Buffet, 709 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-3670, [25]. edit
- Taco
Johns, 90
Charles Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-3975. edit
- Tin Lizzie Casino and Restaurant, 555 Main
Street, ☎ 1-800-643-4490 (fax: +1-(605)-578-3168), [26]. edit
- Wild Bill Steakhouse, 608 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2177. edit
- Buffalo Bodega Complex, 658 Main St,
[27]. Bodega often features crowd drawing activities
such as karaoke. edit
Every Casino in Deadwood serves alcohol, as well as many of the
restaurants. The following are the places primarily frequented for
their nightlife.
- Old Style Saloon # 10, 657 Main St,
☎ 6055783346, [28].
The Saloon number ten features a 40-foot
long Brunswick bar. The walls are adorned with historical artifacts
and oddities, and there is always fresh sawdust on the
floor. edit
Mannequins above the Wild Bill Bar
- Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort, 304 Cliff on Hwy 85
South, ☎ 1-800-695-1876. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Nessled in
the pines beside Whitewood Creek, just one mile from Main Street.
Deadwood Trolley service from our front door. Convention facilities
available. Range from $39 to $169,
depending on the season and room. edit
- Holiday Inn Express, 22 Lee Street, ☎ 605-578-3330. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Located
right in the middle of Main Street, within easy walking distance of
all the other locations on Main. Anywhere from $59 to $169, depending on the
season. edit
- Cedar Wood Inn, 103 Charles Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-2725 (gamack@spe.midco.net), [29]. edit
- First Gold Hotel & Gaming, 270 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-9777 (gold1876@firstgold.com,
fax: +1-(605)-578-3979), [30]. checkin: 4PM; checkout: Noon. $49 - $129 per
night depending on day and time of the year. edit
- Black Hills Inn & Suites, 206 Mountain Shadow
Lane (Highway 385
South), ☎ +1-(605)-578-7791, [31]. $39.95 - $109.95 per night depending on time of the
year. edit
- Iron Horse Inn, 27 Deadwood Street, ☎ (605) 717-7530 (info@ironhorseinndeadwood.com,
fax: (605) 722-6258), [32]. Located in the Railroad district,it is one
block from the center of downtown, but far enough away from the
larger noisy casinos on mainstreet. Located next to the historic
railroad station. $90 per night.
edit
- Bullock Hotel, 633 Main Street, ☎ +1-(605)-578-1745 (reservations@historicbullock.com),
[33]. This sandstone giant was built in 1895. Legend
has it the ghost of Deadwood's legendary sheriff haunts the hotel,
possibly annoyed at the rooms of slot machines on the first
floor. $110 per night. edit
- Cole's Cabin, 21357 US 385 (Located five miles south of Deadwood on
Highway 385), ☎ +1-(513)-578-2800, [34]. One
bedroom cabin: $125.00 per night + tax. Two bedroom cabin: $165.00
per night + tax. edit
- Martin & Mason Hotel, 33 Deadwood
St. (Located above the
Wooden Nickel Casino), ☎ 605-722-3456 (info@martinmasonhotel.com,
fax: 605-578-3250), [35]. Regular Pricing $180-$375 per night. edit
- Mineral Palace, 601 Historic Main Street,
☎ +1-(605)-578-2036 (amber@mineralpalace.com),
[36]. May, October - December: $89 - $209 per night. June-
September: $ 139 - $259 per night. edit
- Historic Franklin Hotel, 700 Main
Street, ☎ +1-(800)-688-1876, [38]. $100 - $250 per night. edit Many
notable guests have stayed at the Franklin, from Babe Ruth to
Theodore Roosevelt.
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