Deadwood South Dakota - Rough and Tumble Old West Town

Deadwood, South Dakota

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On December 15, 1890, Sitting Bull was accidentally killed by tribal police and special agents as he attempted to leave the Standing Rock Reservation in north-central South Dakota. Big Foot, the hereditary chief of the Minniconjou Sioux of the Cheyenne Reservation, decided to move his band to the Pine Ridge Reservation to join Sioux Chief Red Cloud. As they neared Wounded Knee Creek, after an exhausting 150-mile journey, Big Foot and his weary band of 350 men, women and children were confronted by soldiers of the Seventh Cavalry.

That night when the band of Sioux prepared to camp near Wounded Knee Creek, the Army provided the ailing Big Foot with a heated tent.

The following morning, on December, 29, 1890, the federal troops attempted to disarm the warriors. In the confusion, a shot rang out and troops began firing indiscriminately.

Sitting Bull, courtesy Library of Congress

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

When the smoke finally settled, more than 200 Sioux, including Big Foot and his daughter, were dead. Today, a solitary stone memorial marks the site of the tragic Massacre at Wounded Knee.

In 1891, the railroad connected the town to the outside world. The Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad helped bring the community together as a civic entity. The railroad also brought people to the area from various ethnic groups. Chinese immigrants were among those building the railroad.

Hundreds of Chinese came to the Black Hills looking for work in mines or commerce. Many settled in Deadwood, where they sought work in restaurants, laundries and stores. By the end of the 1880s, Deadwood had a Chinatown, which was at the northern end of present-day Main Street. The Chinese managed to establish a district and a fire department for themselves, but struggled in nearly every part of society. Often denied equality in a dominantly Caucasian community, the members of Chinatown strived for recognition as citizens of Deadwood. All too often they were subjected to the suspicion and hostility of whites.

Deadwood gradually evolved from a wild frontier town to a prosperous commercial center, due, in part, to the construction of the railroad. Although the community primarily focused on its gold mining industry, Deadwood became the place where people traveled in the Black Hills to conduct their business.

Deadwood moved forward into the twentieth century, but the image of the Wild West town has always lingered, due to past events and the individuals responsible for making the town into a legend.

As Deadwood moved forward, the gambling and prostitution establishments were still considered legitimate businesses. However, the new century brought new beliefs and ideas, and the gambling and prostitution came under attack from reformers who believed that the two were partly responsible for causing social problems, such as drunkenness and poverty. These reformers also supported the temperance movement that was sweeping the country.

In 1919, the U.S. government had passed the Prohibition Act banning the sale and distribution of alcohol. During the roaring twenties, gaming became illegal but continued to operate behind closed doors. With the repeal of the Prohibition Act in 1935, gambling once again flourished in Deadwood until 1947, when it was officially closed. Prostitution remained a business until the 1950s when the state's attorney shut down many of the brothels. The last one to close was Pam's Purple Door in 1980. While gambling and prostitution establishments closed, Deadwood became the only city in the United States to be named a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

During the 1980s the question of gaming resurfaced, and a petition was introduced to reinstate gaming in Deadwood. In 1986, local business owners agreed to lobby for legalized gaming to create economic development for the community. As gaming moved through the state legislature, the Deadwood City Commission established the Historic Preservation Commission in 1987 to oversee the restoration of historic sites in the community. In 1988, the gaming issue initiative was put on the state ballot. It passed with 64% of the vote and was authorized to begin on November 1, 1989. The introduction of gaming has enabled Deadwood to preserve its historic buildings and dramatically increase tourism. The lure of gaming is not the only draw to Deadwood; people are also fascinated by its unique, colorful history.

The ownership of the Black Hills is still in question. The Supreme Court decision that attempted to settle the issue by paying the Lakota tribes for the land was not accepted by all of the tribes. Many of the Lakota are still trying to gain ownership of a land sacred to them.

Today, the historic old mining town is a full service small community full of historic buildings and sites. With its tourist attractions, Deadwood is again booming, although on a quieter scale. Nearby Lead is home to the fabulous Homestake Mine, America’s largest underground gold mine. It is still active, and still dominates the economy of Lead. Tours are available and are well worth the price.

Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, © June, 2004