Deadwood, South Dakota

June 9 2009 by Claudia Kunkel

Deadwood.jpgIf history happens to be your thing, you really need to put Deadwood, South Dakota on your radar. The entire city is on the National Historic Landmark District. Not to mention that the town's early history is the storyline for the HBO TV series "Deadwood". Not one to confuse fact with fiction, I decided to look into Deadwood and its past as well as the present. What I found was a great destination spot with plenty to do for the whole family.

Deadwood is approximately 40 miles northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota and was considered one of the west's most lawless Gold Rush towns of the late 1800's. Deadwood got its name from the dead trees found in a deep gulch high in the hills of South Dakota. Thousands of men and women looking to make their fortunes rushed these hills looking for gold and adventure. Among them were James Butler, also known as Wild Bill Hickok and Martha "Calamity Jane" Burke. Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are both buried side by side in the Mount Moriah Cemetery, which is only a short hike from Deadwood.

Most of the buildings that were constructed in the height of the Gold Rush days burned to the ground in 1879. The Gem Theatre prominently featured in the HBO Deadwood series, suffered three fires before the notorious Al Swearengen left town for good. What remains now are the brick and stone Victorian style buildings that are unique to the west. Be sure to take a stroll down Main Street to see many of the historic buildings including the Bullock Hotel which was built by the first sheriff of Deadwood, Seth Bullock, who is said to still haunt the halls of the hotel.

Deadwood celebrates the life of Wild Bill Hickock June 19-21, 2009 with cowboy fast draw competitions, Wild West re-enactments and concert by Glen Campbell and daughter, Debby Campbell during the "Wild Bill Hickock Days". Listening to Glen Campbell sing in the middle of the Black Hills would be pretty cool - almost as good as hearing him sing "By the Time I Get to Phoenix".

I'm a history buff, so reading about Deadwood's Wild West days was pretty fun. If you have any additional facts to add, please let me know.

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