Deadwood - my kind of town

Rather than go through a long narrative about the city of Deadwood and it's significance in the history of the Black Hills and South Dakota, I am listing out a number of interesting (I think) tidbits about the town, its history, and its story.  Fascinating stuff.

But first, this posting's musical flash-back.....

Gambling was once again legalized in Deadwood in 1989, here's some good music from that same year - go ahead and rock along - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw



1868 -
The Treaty of Laramie was signed by the US Government and the Sioux Indians - no white men will be allowed to occupy the Black Hills

1874 -
Two prospectors accompanying General George Custer and the 7th Cavalry in Custer's exploration of the Black Hills discover gold in a creek near Custer.

Within a year, the illegal settlement of Deadwood swells to over 5,000 residents.

1876 -

Main Street in Deadwood - 1876

The first wagon train of gamblers and prostitutes arrive in Deadwood.  Wild Bill Hickok is also on this wagon train.  The goal was to bolster the existing illegal business trade (gambling, prostitution, opium trade, among others) along with the legal business trade.

Wild Bill Hickok

Shortly after his arrival, Wild Bill is shot in the back while playing poker at Saloon #10 by Jack McCall.  Hickok was holding what is known as the "Dead Man's Hand" of Aces and Eights when he died.

McCall was acquitted of the murder the next day by a hastily convened jury in the mining community.  He left town but was later recaptured and retried in Yankton (capital city of the Dakota Territory at that time).  McCall was found guilty and hanged in Yankton where the current city cemetery is located.  Despite a clear case of "double jeopardy" against a citizen, the first trial was considered invalid since Deadwood was considered an illegal town in Indian territory even though McCall was acquited.

Marker in Yankton Cemetery

Wild Bill Hickok is buried in a Deadwood cemetery.  Calamity Jane, a close friend of Hickok's, is buried next to him years later upon her death.

A small pox epidemic sweeps through Deadwood.

1879 -
A fire in Deadwood destroys more than 300 buildings.  Many residents leave town.

1889 -
South Dakota is admitted to statehood on November 2nd.

1898 - 
Gambling and prostitution become illegal in the state's constitution.  Both remain popular in Deadwood.

1894, 1899, and 1959 - 
Fires again destroys many of Deadwood's buildings.  Each time the city rebuilds.

1980 -
The remaining 4 brothels are finally closed down by State and Federal authorities.

1989 -
Gambling is once again legalized in Deadwood as a way to preserve the historic relevance of the city.

Some years back, HBO had a 3-year running series titled "Deadwood".  It is based on those early days in the town's history and the actors portrayed real people.  Some of the principles were -

• Al Swearengen (actor Ian McShane).  Swearengen was born 45 miles south of Des Moines.  His father later settled in Yankon.  He was the owner of the Gem Theatre - an establishment well known for it's gambling and prostitution.
 

Ian McShane as Al Swearengen

• Seth Bullock (actor Timothy Olyphant).  Bullock opened one of the first hardware stores in Deadwood and later became its sheriff.  He's largely credited with reducing much of the rampant crime in Deadwood.
• Solomon Star (actor John Hawkes).  Sol Star was Bullock's partner in the hardware business and a highly regarded civic leader.
• E.B. Farnum (actor William Sanderson) - Farnum owned the Star Saloon, the chief rival to Swearengen's Gem Theatre.

The series really does a good job of portraying the life and times of Deadwood in the late 1800's. 

Kevin Costner owns the Midnight Star hotel/resort in Deadwood.  He also owns a large acreage outside of town that was to become a gambling/golf resort.  This property is currently for sale.  He bought this land while in South Dakota during the filming of his movie "Dances with Wolves".

So let's plan on spending some time in Deadwood.  Just be careful if you get dealt aces and eights.