This Small South Dakota Town Has The Best Downtown
Deadwood’s perfectly preserved downtown transports visitors back in time to 1876, when prospectors arrived in the valley of South Dakota’s Black Hills to pillage the creek for gold. Although legends from the Old West like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock are no longer roaming the streets, daily historic re-enactments will have you looking over your shoulder when you make your way into establishments like Saloon No. 10, where sawdust still covers the floors and memorabilia lines the walls. The gunslingers may be long gone from Deadwood, but the Old West heritage is alive and well here in South Dakota’s best downtown.
Historic Main Street
From the moment you walk under the arch at the entrance to Main Street, you are immediately immersed in Old West heritage when you see the Wild Bill Hickok Memorial Statue in front of the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort. Wild Bill Hickok was one of the most famous Old West outlaws known in Deadwood, and his legacy can be seen and felt throughout the town
The Brothel Deadwood is open for guided and self-guided tours that teach visitors how one of the world’s oldest professions impacted the town in the original location of the Shasta Rooms brothel. The tour travels back through 104 years of history as visitors will be able to step inside and view working rooms from four different eras, each of which is decorated with authentic period furnishings.
Meanwhile, the Historic Bullock Hotel was Deadwood’s first hotel and is still in operation today. The hotel was built by Deadwood’s first sheriff, Seth Bullock, who is said to haunt the building to this day, particularly on the second and third floors. Guided ghost tours are hosted by the hotel on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, for those keen to explore and perhaps catch a glimpse with their own eyes.
Reenactments and Festivals
During the summer months in Deadwood, the Old West comes back to life three times a day, six days a week. Actors from Deadwood Alive perform authentic and educational reenactments and entertaining performances that are historically accurate, fun for the whole family, and free to attend. Daily entertainment includes shootouts on Main Street, guided walking tours, and musical performances.
Every June, in a weekend-long festival, Wild Bill Days celebrates the life and times of Deadwood’s most notorious gunslinger, Wild Bill Hickock. Free concerts are held along Main Street, as well as other family-friendly activities, such as a classic car auction, gold panning demonstrations, a vendor market, and other events hosted by establishments all over town. The Days of '76 Rodeo and Parades are held over five days in late July and have been since 1998, with a wide range of rodeo events and parades featuring historic wagons.
Saloons and Taverns
It is not just historic sites and festivals that make Deadwood’s downtown great; it is also the many western-style bars and restaurants that add to the town's cultural, social, and historic allure. At the top of the list, Saloon No. 10 is equal parts museum and bar, and is also home to South Dakota’s largest whiskey collection. The walls and inside of the saloon are decorated with remnants of the Old West, including Will Bill’s death chair, which sits above the front door, and items linked to the likes of Calamity Jane and Poker Alice framed and mounted on the walls. It is a great place to grab a bite to eat, sample some whiskey, and enjoy live music while you dance on the sawdust-covered floors.
The Nugget is another longstanding hot spot that keeps the spirit of the gold rush alive with live music, handcrafted cocktails, locally brewed beers, and aged whiskeys. For casual bites that include the best pizza in town, pull up a seat on the outdoor patio at Hickok’s Tavern while you enjoy the ambience of the historic downtown.
More To Explore
Deadwood’s Old West heritage is not limited to its downtown core. After learning of notable figures who used to frequent the town, make your way to the Mount Moriah Cemetery, which is the final resting place for legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. From the cemetery, you can see views of the whole town and the surrounding Black Hills. The Adams Museum is another worthwhile stop, with exhibits that showcase everything from a 7.346 troy ounce gold nugget to the fossilized remains of a rare marine reptile. Other exhibits are focused on Deadwood's legendary residents, with portraits, personal belongings, and insight into their lives.
While Old West history is an important part of Deadwood’s heritage, it often overshadows Deadwood’s beginnings as a gold mining town. The Days of ’76 Museum pays homage to Deadwood’s first pioneers and contains a collection of over 50 wagons, carriages, and buggies, as well as clothing, memorabilia, photographs, and archives.
A Downtown Like No Other
Downtown Deadwood is like a time capsule that is centred on Main Street and spreads throughout the entire town. The Old West can be seen in almost every aspect of downtown, from historic buildings and western-style saloons to festivals and reenactments in the summer months that celebrate the town’s history and heritage. A walk through Deadwood is a step back in time to mingle with legends, recall the early days of the Wild West, and honor the legacies of the pioneers, prospectors, and entrepreneurs who shaped this part of the country generations ago.
