Deadwood, located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, was called a lot of things back in 1876, "Sin City" among them. Today, the gold camp's sometimes sordid past makes for great local color. There's no better place than Mount Moriah - final resting place of the town's most famous citizens - to discover the lore.
Wild Bill Hickok,
gambler and
gunslinger, was quick on the draw and fast with women.
Rumor had it that he and Calamity Jane were an
item, but most folks agreed that the "love affair" was
all in Calamity's head. Wild Bill was shot while playing
poker in 1876. Calamity's last request, 27 years later,
was to be buried next to the notorious gunfighter.
Potato Creek Johnny discovered one of the largest gold nuggets ever found in the Black Hills. The 4-foot prospector spent years bent over a pan mining streams. His work paid off in 1929. After his "big find" for which he got $250, Johnny became something of a celebrity in Deadwood. The Chamber of Commerce hired him to teach tourists how to pan for gold!
Dora Dufran was a business woman. The successful madam operated brothels in Deadwood, Lead, Rapid City and Belle Fourche. By all accounts, Dora had a heart of gold, nursing the sick and caring for the poor. She's buried along side her husband, Joseph, and her parrot, Fred.
Seth Bullock is credited for bringing law and order to Deadwood. He served as Deadwood's first sheriff and later, a U.S. marshal. Seth was a lifelong friend of Teddy Roosevelt. During Teddy's inauguration, Seth led a group of galloping horsemen down Pennsylvania Avenue, in tribute to their friend. Seth is buried on a hill 750 feet above the cemetery.
Historic Franklin
Hotel is Deadwood's
number one historic attraction. Located on Historic Main
Street with free parking for guests. Seventy four rooms,
Victorian dining lounge, Callahan's Sports Lounge, Durty
Nelly's Irish Pub, Star of the West Casino, and retail
shops all under one roof. Call: 605-578-2241 or
1-800- 688-1876.