'''Deadwood''' [http://www.deadwood.org/] 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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Understand

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. 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.

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.

See

  • Adams House Museum. 2 Van Buren Ave. 05.578.3724. ttp://www.adamsmuseumandhouse.org/. -5. 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.
  • Adams Museum. 4 Sherman Street. 1-(605)-578-1714. ttp://www.adamsmuseumandhouse.org/. ummer (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.. ree admission, however a $3 per adult, $2 per child is encouraged.

  • 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.

  • Nelson's Garage Car Museum. 29 Main Street. ocated in the Celebrity Hotel & Casino. 1-(605)-578-1909. ttp://www.celebritycasinos.com/Celebrity_NelsonGarage.html. ree admission. 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.

  • David Young's Bronze Sculpture Gallery. 08 Main Street. ocated in Wild West Winner's Club. 1-(605)-578-3990.

  • Tatanka: Story of the Bison. ighway 85. ne mile north of Deadwood. 1-(605)-584-5678. atankadebp@rapidnet.com. 1-(605)-578-2070. ttp://www.storyofthebison.com. ours: May 15th - September 30th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m." price="Admission: Daily Passes: Senior (65+): $6.50; Adult (12+ years): $7.50; Child (6-11 years): $5.50; Children (5 years and under): Free">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.</see>

    Do

  • Historic Ghost Tour. istoric Bullock Hotel. 33 Main Street. 5.00. Participate in this famous historic Ghost Tour hosted by costumed reenactors portraying Sheriff Seth Bullock or his wife, Martha.

  • Madam Henrico Fortune Telling. iss Kitty's Casino. 49 Main Street. riday & Saturday Evenings. ree. Experience an historical reenactment of Madam Henrico Livingstone, Deadwood Gulch's first female clairvoyant, card reader and fortune teller.

    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)

  • Midnight Star. 77 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.

  • Silverado Casino. 709 Main Street . 800-584-7005. ttp://www.silveradocasino.com/. The Silverado recently acquired the Franklin Hotel, making them one of the largest full-service gaming establishments in Deadwood.

  • Old Style Saloon No. 10's The Utter Place. 57 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-3346. ttp://www.saloon10shop.com/utter.asp. aily: 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.

  • Hickok's Casino. 85 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2222. ickoks@rushmore.com. ttp://www.hickoks.com/.

  • Celebrity Casino. 29 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-1909. ttp://www.celebritycasinos.com/. aily: 24 hours. eservations@celebritycasinos.com. This Casino is popular for its displays of authentic movie props, celebrity instruments and famous automobiles.

  • Gold Dust. 88 Main Street. 1-(6050-578-2100 or 800-456-0533. ww.golddustgaming.com. aily: 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.

    Buy

  • Deadwood Gift Shoppe. 66 Main Street. 1-(605)-722-4975. eadwoodgifts@rushmore.com. ttp://www.deadwoodgiftshoppe.com/. Sells clothing, jewelry, souveniors and other goods made in South Dakota.

  • <buy name=Black Mountain Gifts. 1810 Gilt Edge Road. 1-(605)-578-1553. hanna@iw.net. ttp://stores.ebay.com/Black-Mountain-Gifts. Sells outdoor decor, statues, and statuettes.

  • Chubby Chipmunk Hand Dipped Chocolates. 20 Cliff Street. 1-(605)-722-2447. ttp://www.chubbychipmunk.net/. Handmade chocolates by Mary "Chip" Tautkus who has been inventing and making truffles for years.

  • Deadwood Tobacco Co. asement of 828 Main. 1-(605)-722-1510. ttp://www.deadwoodtobacco.com/. 2 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.

    Eat

  • B.B. Cody's. 81 Main Street. 1-(605)-555-5555.

  • Best Western Hickok House. 37 Charles Street. 1-(605)-578-1611. ttp://deadwood-sd-us.hotels-x.net/Best-western-hickok-house.html.

  • Bourbon Street Casino. 69-671 Main Street & 29 Lee Street. 1-(605)-578-1297.

  • Cadillac Jack's Restaurant. 60 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-1500. ttp://www.cadillacjacksresort.com/.

  • Chic-a-Doodles. 8 Main Street. 1-(605)-722-4686. schicadoodles@msn.com.

  • Deadwood Gulch Resort. ighway 85 South. 1-(605)-578-1294. ttp://www.deadwoodgulch.com/.

  • Deadwood Social Club - Old Style Saloon #10. 57 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-3346. ttp://www.saloon10shop.com/dsc.asp.

  • Deadwood Thymes Cafe. 7 Sherman Street. 1-(605)-578-7566. nfo@deadwoodthymes.com. ttp://www.deadwoodthymes.com/.

  • Diamond Lil's. 77 Main Street.

  • Four Aces Restaurant. 31 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2323. ttp://www.fouraceshotel.com/restaurant.htm.

  • Hickok's Iron Horse Inn. 7 Deadwood Street. 1-(605)-578-7700. ickoks@rushmore.com. 1-(605)-578-2160. ttp://www.hickoks.com/ironhorseinn/restaurant/.

  • Jakes: Fine Dining. 77 Main Street.

  • Main Street Deli & Coffees. 94 Main Street. 1-(605)-717-3354. ricandina@aol.com.

  • Miss Kitty's. 49 Main Street.

  • Chinatown Cafe. 49 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-7778.

  • Consuelos. 49 Main Street.

  • Mustang Sally's. 34 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2025.

  • Oyster Bay Restaurant. 26 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2205.

  • Pizza Hut. 1 Charles Street. 1-(605)-578-2443. ttp://www.pizzahut.com. Part of the nation-wide pizzeria chain.

  • Silverado Grand Buffet. 09 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-3670. ttp://www.silveradocasino.com/.

  • Taco Johns. 0 Charles Street. 1-(605)-578-3975.

  • Tin Lizzie Casino and Restaurant. 55 Main Street. -800-643-4490. 1-(605)-578-3168. ttp://tinlizzie.com.

  • Wild Bill Steakhouse. 08 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2177.

    Drink

  • Buffalo Bodega Complex. 58 Main St. ttp://www.buffalo-bodega.com. Bodega often features crowd drawing activities such as karaoke. 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 . 57 Main St. 055783346. ww.saloon10.com. 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.

    Sleep

  • Holiday Inn Express. 2 Lee Street. 05-578-3330. PM. 1AM. nywhere from $59 to $169, depending on the season. Located right in the middle of Main Street, within easy walking distance of all the other locations on Main.
  • Cedar Wood Inn. 03 Charles Street. 1-(605)-578-2725. amack@spe.midco.net. ttp://www.cedarwoodinn.com/.

    Budget

  • First Gold Hotel & Gaming. 70 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-9777. old1876@firstgold.com. 1-(605)-578-3979. ttp://firstgold.com/hotel.htm. PM. oon. 49 - $129 per night depending on day and time of the year.
  • Black Hills Inn & Suites. 06 Mountain Shadow Lane. ighway 385 South. 1-(605)-578-7791. ttp://blackhillsinn.com/. 39.95 - $109.95 per night depending on time of the year.

    Mid-range

  • Bullock Hotel. 33 Main Street. 1-(605)-578-1745. eservations@historicbullock.com. ttp://www.historicbullock.com/. 110 per night. 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.

  • Cole's Cabin. 1357 US 385. ocated five miles south of Deadwood on Highway 385" phone="+1-(513)-578-2800" email="" fax="" url="http://www.colecabins.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="One bedroom cabin: $125.00 per night + tax. Two bedroom cabin: $165.00 per night + tax"> </sleep>

    Splurge

  • Martin & Mason Hotel. 3 Deadwood St.. ocated above the Wooden Nickel Casino. 05-722-3456. nfo@martinmasonhotel.com. 05-578-3250. ttp://www.martinmasonhotel.com. egular Pricing $180-$375 per night.

  • Mineral Palace. 01 Historic Main Street. 1-(605)-578-2036. mber@mineralpalace.com. ttp://www.mineralpalace.com. ay, October - December: $89 - $209 per night. June- September: $ 139 - $259 per night.

  • Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid. 7 Sherman Street. 1-(605)-343-8126. nfo@butchcassidysuites.com. 1-(605)-555-5555. ttp://www.butchcassidysuites.com. 100 - $250 per night.

  • Historic Franklin Hotel. 00 Main Street. 1-(800)-688-1876. ttp://www.silveradocasino.com/. 100 - $250 per night. Many notable guests have stayed at the Franklin, from Babe Ruth to Theodore Roosevelt.

    Get out

  • Black Hills National Forest
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a short drive away, and so is the even larger Crazy Horse Memorial [http://www.crazyhorse.org/].
  • Rapid City is a transportation hub for the region. It has a few museums, and plenty of cheap hotels and restaurants (chain and local).
  • Sturgis, roughly 12 miles to the East of Deadwood, is the home of the famed Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August.
  • Wall (South Dakota) has Wall Drug, whose ubiquitous signs will be more than familiar to any visitor driving on Interstate 90.
  • Yellowstone National Park is just under 500 miles from Deadwood and 10 1/2 non-stop drive.