Destination Deadwood 2014

DESTINATION

DeadwooD 25 Years of Gaming ~ Nov. 1, 1989 - Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Souvenir Edition

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lopment beyond growth and deve h ug ro th ry st framework of ling indu and created the ns galized io le at ce ct pe sin s ex ar ’s ye 25 g industry that anyone ood’s that it has been eadwood gamin dw ve D l ea lie D sfu be es in to r cc te rd su s ap ha y’ It is toda ting ch annually. king a new, exci d stories of tes $100 million ar ne ra m w ne n no ge ga re be e tly g th en in d rr cu gam to mel s impacted the as a bold move and historic s gaming succes w t d’ It en . oo ce pm dw an lo ea iss ve D na de re ic in general and st with an econom d’s future. visitor industry s ill H ck la B oo Deadwood’s pa rticular, directly to secure Deadw aracters seekills tourism in pa s of good paying, H n er th or N preservation plan camp days, with its colorful ch ld eating thousand pment in 1876.

Deadwood’s go and indirectly cr the way. Deadwood’s historic a natural develo ker game g in bl m ga e ad t ong es, m illions to protec ickok’s famous po full-time jobs al ing their fortun have provided m y of Wild Bill H cCall while holding what ross ts or ac st or t d eff bu oo n d, tio dw oo va ea preser The D Jack M in Deadw re by es he ac ck , ly ba ffers, nd e on t ha th r no a’ in s ke ot ot uth Dak s co ic resource So t famous po or os to st m hi ed when he was sh ’s w ld flo or w ve e s. for Deadns more ha dged as th d school district the state. Millio is now acknowle e return of gaming a natural fit municipalities an mco its e y, th nt to ou th C e up e ad ainly lived d Lawrenc rt 80s. an ce and eights, m 19 s e ha th ry in dst e ts ea th du or to of D ming in ation eff Bet Committee hed by a group Deadwood’s ga wood’s revitaliz Deadwood You et g idea was hatc e B in u th m Yo by ga d e of oo ad rn m dw tu ts The re lves the Dea unch mitmen South Dakota 25 years ago. ho called themse s forward to k in trying to la or of w s en rd tiz ha ci d iation now look wood citizens w an oc ss ce A an g a in er is ev am y rs tr G pe d ir coun umer needs and The Deadwoo Committee. The ed gaming jurisdiction in the id changing cons 40s, the dice am du s vi es di cc in su d of se liz s cu ga erings. In the 19 the next 25 year of motivated, fo only the third le ange a handful nding gaming off dwood, they ch ou ea e rr D th su ng to of vi t s sa en ct le pa am hi im test e carted out ety. W nited States ette wheels wer e in today’s soci U ul ak e ro m th d ill ss an st ro es n ac m ca l s ga al reviva king South ched a gaming t today, we are as ith Conbu n, w to of unwittingly laun r their return w dwood’s passes 48 states.

Dakota voters fo ent Q , allowing craps, that now encom sage across the state to save Dea ber 1987 es dm event in Decem The You Bet m ts and stitutional Amen aided by a tragic n Street as ai in addition to slo w M no t gs ke en in d in ild an bu om te pr et a ul d ro historic ye ro st sieadwood. ate Fire that de e first item of bu n table games in D with the Syndic ittee promised th y, m ak le om ’s C aming Associatio ty et ci B e u th oo be to fix he Deadw d G uth Dakota for ld T ou w building. The Yo ry st rd du ha in s of So e years of w gaming thanks the citizen st 25 years and also ness with the ne stem. The voters agreed and th g in m ga e la sy ith es w er th t at ity a real ch their suppor antiquated w mittee became om ood’s visitors ea C et dw B ea u D Yo of e all ks ing’s an th am work by th G ood ld . eir part in Deadw iscent of the go th in r m fo re e ar er ye finally legalized w ys rly gaming da Mike Rodman lopers all Deadwood’s ea successful story. reneurs and deve strong SD ep tr en sociation s, or at ul ec dwood Gaming As rtunes. A ea fo D d r, cto un fo ire rush era with sp D w e ne tiv Execu a part of mission clambering to be Gaming, Deadwood City Com e fledgth on n ed io id Commiss mission gu eservation Com and Historic Pr

Destination Deadwood® Staff: Letti Lister - Publisher Dru Thomas - Ad Director/Project Manager Mark Watson - Editor Graphic Design Staff: Vicki Strickland Melissa Barnett Jennifer Boese Jess Boyd Tamra Allen

Advertising Sales Staff: Sharon Mason Sona O’Connell Chrissy Blair Kari King Jami Albrecht

Cover photo by Carly Meyer Destination Deadwood is published

by Seaton Publishing, Inc. 315 Seaton Circle Spearfish, SD 57783 (605) 642-2761 ©2014 Destination Deadwood All rights reserved

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Destination Deadwood©

Inside...

Welcome Letters................................................................... 2-4 Preserving History................................................................ 5-7 “It Was Chaos.”.................................................................... 8-9 New gaming opportunities?.............................................10-11 ‘Bucking the Tiger’...........................................................15-17 Gold, girls, gumen & gamblers........................................20-23 Evolution of the One-Armed Bandit..............................24-25 Schedule of Events................................................................ 26 Quarter Century of Deadwood Gaming........................30-31 Attractions in and around Deadwood.............................33-35 Legendary Characters of Deadwood..............................37-39 Gaming Directory................................................................. 40 Lodging Directory................................................................. 41 Dining Directory................................................................... 43

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Welcome to Deadwood I

’m not sure if the suitcase was my own, or if I shared one with my sister.

I’m sure, though, that the Badlands were just as spectacular then as they are now, and Mount Rushmore was just as impressive. While the memories of that first trip as a wee lad to the Black Hills are far from sharp, I do remember visiting Wild Bill Hickok’s grave site and Deadwood’s famed Main Street. Those images have stayed with me for years, and that family trip years ago surely must have shaped my future. Now, as a proud member of the Deadwood community, I truly enjoy sharing the Deadwood story and interacting with visitors, many of which are experiencing that first “WOW, DEADWOOD” moment, like I had during one of my first summer vacations.

2014 marks 25 years of Deadwood gaming; 25 years of historic preservation, school funding along with large budget boosts to both the state and local governments. Deadwood gaming funds benefit residents across the state, in both big and pretty subtle ways. But the fact is, gaming in Deadwood has made an impact across this great state of South Dakota. When legalized gaming came to Deadwood in 1989, we were one of three locations to offer gambling – Atlantic City and Nevada were the other two. Since that time, gaming destinations have increased exponentially around the country. Still, Deadwood sticks to its original plan of preservation and funding strategy, and visitors continue to include Deadwood on their itineraries.

On behalf of the Deadwood Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau, I want to congratulate Deadwood’s gaming industry on 25 years. The excitement of a jackpot on a slot machine or a big win on the poker table is alive and well in historic Deadwood. The entertainment value for Deadwood’s visitors is high, and the industry keeps improving to keep up with the demands. I’m extremely fortunate to be part of this progressive community, where visitors come first and foremost, and help us shape our historic town.

Again, congrats Deadwood on 25 years of gaming. We look forward to the next 25 years, and beyond.

Lee Harstad Director, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

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wenty-five year s ago a transfor matio Deadwood. A to wn that was stru n began in crumbling infr ggling with astructure, dwin dling populatio fewer tourists, n and found a way to revive itself.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of th Deadwood Yo u Bet Committ ee and the confi e of the voters of dence ou was legalized N r great state, limited stakes ga ming ov. 1, 1989, resu lting in a rebirt community. h of a Since then we have seen man y great things in toric Deadwoo d. Drastically improved infras hisimproved road tructure, s, a new fire ha ll, new baseball and the restorat fields, ion of the Day s of as well as new seating and crow ‘76 rodeo grounds ’s nest at Leadwood High Scho Deadol restoration of ou ’s Ferguson Field. We’ve seen the r cemeteries, a new recreation and a much be center tter quality of life for the resid Deadwood. W ents of e’ve gone from pa with warrants to being a finan ying the city’s bills cially secure co But our work mmunity. goes beyond th e Deadwood ci its. Deadwood ty limfunds have help ed tions around th e state with thei hundreds of locar historic preser projects. It wou vation ld be safe to sa y that history m been history in ay have Deadwood and at locations arou state if not for Deadw nd the Our accomplish ood gaming funds. m en ts in preservi Deadwood have been great over ng the city of we will not rest the past 25 year on s but restoration and our laurels. We understand th preservation is at an we take that pr ocess very seriou ongoing process and sly. We will co to work hard to ntin warrant our de signation as a N ue Historic Landm ational ark.

I want to welco me you to Dea dwood. Enjoy yourself and en joy walking in the footsteps of Literally you w legends. ill be walking th e same streets of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Ja ne, and countless ot Seth Bullock hers who made their way to D eadwood in search of fortun e and a better life. So take in our history, enjoy our town and maybe you’ll find your inner outlaw in historic Deadw ood.

Charles Turb

iv Mayor, City of D ille eadwood

Destination Deadwood©

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Historic Deadwood C

radled in a long, narrow gulch surrounded by pine-covered mountains, the historic mining community of Deadwood draws on its rich history and heritage to attract nearly 2 million visitors each year – visitors who desire to be transported back in time; a time when the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock walked these streets.

Gaming has always been a part of Deadwood’s history including what some consider the most famous game of poker when Wild Bill Hickok was murdered on Aug. 2, 1876 inspiring the phrase “The Dead Man’s Hand.” Various forms of gambling have been part of the fabric of Deadwood since the beginning; this year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of “legalized” gaming in Deadwood.

The relationship between historic preservation and gaming is embedded in the state constitution by a vote of the people. The constitutional amendment specifies the “entire net municipal proceeds of gaming shall be devoted to historic restoration and preservation of Deadwood.” Thanks to gaming there is funding for historic preservation in Deadwood and around the state.

Deadwood, a National Historic Landmark, receives national recognition for its historic preservation efforts and is considered one of the most ambitious preservation projects in the country. While hundreds of buildings have been rehabilitated, the job is far from complete. Historic preservation involves not just rehabilitation but continued maintenance and upkeep.

Numerous historic properties still need attention and our historic resources face the constant battle against age, weather, threats like fire, and the wear imposed by visitors as well as development pressures. Funds spent

by Deadwood on historic preservation and related activities must meet the U.S. Department of Interior’s standards.

Today, millions and millions of dollars in public and private money generated by gaming has been invested in the restoration and preservation of Deadwood. Recent projects include private sector investments such as the rehabilitation of the Pineview building into a 41 unit hotel and the adaptive reuse of the Homestake Gold

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Destination Deadwood©

Ore Processing Plant into a world class entertainment complex as well as numerous other historic buildings on Main Street. A sampling of public sector projects include period correct street lights and brick on historic Main Street; world class archeological investigations generating new information about our early history; the Broadway parking ramp; the Visitor Information Center in the depot; the magnificent 1908 Lawrence County Courthouse; the 1905 Carnegie Public Library; the 1912 Deadwood Recreation Center; and the 1892 Adams House Museum. Preservation funding has also financed improvements at the Adams Museum, the new Days of ’76 Museum and rodeo grounds, churches, schools, and clubs and organizations as well as grant and loan programs for residential and commercial properties.

These projects and activities preserve, restore, improve or otherwise enhance historic buildings, structures, landscapes or sites, as well as projects aimed at augmenting historical research, interpretation, heritage tourism and enriching the cultural heritage of the community. Without gaming these historic preservation projects would not be possible. Congratulations Deadwood on 25 years of

gaming and here’s looking to the next 25 with preservation in play!

Kevin Kuchenbecker Deadwood Historic Preservation Officer

Photo courtesy Deadwood Chamber

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Preserving History

Gaming dollars help save Deadwood’s historic landmarks

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

This year, Historic Preservation officials pay tribute to more than $152 million in historic preservation funds that have been or as long as Deadwood has been in invested in Deadwood since legalized the legalized gaming business, it’s also gaming kicked off in November of 1989. been in the business of preserving the “We continue to make progress and buildings and residences that characterize focus in on historic preservation throughits rich historical heritage. out Deadwood,” said Deadwood Historic Over the last 25 years, and to the tune Preservation Officer Kevin Kuchenbecker. of more than $152 million, “We continue to enhance historic preservation has preservation ethics cityplayed a key role in helping wide.”

Over the past 25 years, Deadwood residents and Annually, $100,000 is the biggest historic businesses build up the distributed to the State preservation impact has unique historic structures Historical Preservation Loan been made on Deadwood’s and Grant fund and up to that house many gaming downtown structures. venues in period-correct $30,000 can be distributed fashion. to the Department of Social Originally the impetus to Services for Gambling help save an economically Addiction Treatment and dying Deadwood, historic preservation of Counseling Program grants. All other revthe National Historic Landmark town was enues remaining in the commission fund the promise made to South Dakota voters are then paid to the city of Deadwood as an appeal to bring gaming to the gulch. until such time as the net municipal proSince then, historic preservation has ceeds paid to the city of Deadwood equal received millions in gaming dollars and $6,800,000 for each calendar year. made huge strides in both preserving In Fiscal 2013, the net municipal Deadwood’s historic landmark buildings proceeds paid to the city of Deadwood and improving the city’s infrastructure, which was crumbling down around itself just prior to gaming.

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reached 6.8 million and in accordance with SDCL 42-7B-48.1, the distribution of funds in excess of this amount changed; 70 percent of the excess was transferred to the state’s general fund, 10 percent was distributed to other municipalities in Lawrence County, pro rata according to population, 10 percent was distributed to school districts in Lawrence County, pro rata based upon the previous year’s average daily membership and 10 percent to the city of Deadwood. Per 427B-48.2, the amount which is distributed to the school districts is offset by a dollar for dollar reduction in state aid which the district receives.

Over the past 25 years, Kuchenbecker feels that the biggest historic preservation impact has been made on Deadwood’s downtown structures.

“The recordation and interpretation of the core business district, as well as the progress that has been made on the rehabilitation of the facades of downtown buildings is amazing,” Kuchenbecker said.

“If you look at before and after pictures from even five or six years ago, remarkable work is being done.”

Not one, but four, examples of the extensive historic preservation impact and Continued on page 6

The Deadwood Mountain Grand Gold Ore Processing Plant renovation, the Deadwood History and Information Center/Railroad Depot, shown here, renovation and the new Days of ‘76 Museum are all examples of Historic Preservation dollars in play in Deadwood. Pioneer photos

by Jaci Conrad Pearson

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

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From page 5

Outside of Deadwood Grants Awarded Since 2002, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission has provided more than $2 million dollars in assistance to help promote the preservation and interpretation of historic sites, buildings, and properties, throughout the state with the Outside of Deadwood Grant program. Below is a listing of grants awarded since 2007.

Black Hills Mining Museum............................$23,500 Butte Co. Historical Society...........................$14,500 City of Lead...................................................$16,500 Del Rapids Society........................................$25,000 Hot Springs Citizens for Progress..................$25,000 Jedediah Smith Corral of Westerner’s.............$1,275 Lead Masonic Temple...................................$18,460 Lead-Deadwood High School.......................$30,000 Mariah Press....................................................$1,500 Newell Museum...............................................$5,000 South Dakota Heritage Fund.........................$25,000 Spearfish Conservation & Historic Preservation Assn..........................................$12,500 St. Onge Bank...............................................$20,000 Tomahawk Lake Country Club......................$15,000 2007 Total...................................................$233,235 Lead-Deadwood High School.......................$20,000 The Black Hills Fort Pierre Roundhouse..................................................$25,000 City of Lead...................................................$25,000 Buffalo Gap....................................................$10,000 Civilian Conservation Corps...........................$25,000 Emmanuel Episcopal Church........................$16,000 Frawley Ranches, Inc.....................................$25,000 Keystone Area Historical Society...................$25,000 Madison Ranch.............................................$15,000 Tri-State Museum............................................$4,500 Verendrye Museum Inc..................................$25,000 2008 Total...................................................$215,500 The Booth Society.........................................$14,750 Black Hills Playhouse.....................................$17,500 Black HIlls Historical Preservation Trust, Inc..$25,000 Hermosa Arts & History Association..............$25,000 Spearfish Valley Community Hall Board.........$10,000 Fall River County Historical Society................$14,500 Historic Homestake Opera House Society....$25,000 Lead-Deadwood High School.........................$7,500 Founders Park Plaza, Inc...............................$25,000 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home......................$4,000 George B. German Music Archives.................$9,000 Tri-State Museum............................................$4,200 Frawley Ranches, Inc.....................................$20,000 South Dakota State Historical Society...........$25,000 South Dakota Heritage Fund.........................$25,000 City of Lead...................................................$12,800 2009 Total...................................................$264,250 Friends of the Whitewood Cemetery...............$7,500 Newell Museum...............................................$1,250 City of Lead.....................................................$7,500 City of Fort Pierre.............................................$7,500 Lawrence County Register of Deeds........$11,562.50 South Dakota Heritage Fund....................$11,562.50 Black Hills Mining Museum.......................$11,562.50 SD State Railroad Museum Ltd.......................$5,000 Buffalo Gap Area Community Center..............$5,000 Community Archives Coalition..................$11,562.50 Mitchell Area Historical Society........................$7,500 Lawrence County Historical Society..............$12,500 Keystone Area Historical Society...................$15,000 High Plains Western Heritage Center..............$2,500 Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust, Inc.......$7,500 Lewis & Clark Theatre Co..............................$25,000 Hermosa Arts & History Association..............$25,000 Mavis Madison...............................................$15,000 SD Heritage Fund..........................................$25,000 Lead Presbyterian Church...............................$1,900 Historic Homestake Opera House.................$25,000 Fall River County Historical Society................$20,000 Verendrye Museum, Inc.................................$21,000 Pyle House Museum.......................................$6,300 2010 Total...................................................$289,200

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Destination Deadwood©

Newell Museum.............................................$10,000 BH Historic Preservation Trust.........................$4,000 BH Historic Preservation Trust.........................$7,000 Booth Society, Inc..........................................$10,000 Custer County Historical Society...................$20,000 City of Lead...................................................$10,500 Salem United Church....................................$15,000 Fassbender Photographic Collection, Inc......$21,500 Yankton County Historical Society.................$25,000 Trinity United Methodist Church.......................$2,000 Keystone Area Historical Society...................$13,550 Lawrence County Register of Deeds.............$22,500 Black Hills Mining Museum............................$12,500 Preserve South Dakota..................................$25,000 The Diocese of South Dakota..........................$5,550 Lewis and Clark Theatre Co..........................$20,000 Woodlawn Cemetery.....................................$20,000 Sawyer Memorial Trust....................................$5,900 2011 Total...................................................$250,000 Feigel Foundation (Historic RC).....................$10,000 Emmanuel Episcopal Church........................$20,000 Old Fort Meade Museum..............................$12,500 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.............$20,000 Hermosa Arts & History Association................$4,000 BH Historic Preservation Trust, Inc..................$4,000 City of Mobridge..............................................$1,000 Newell Museum.............................................$15,000 Black Hills Mining Museum..............................$7,000 First Presbyterian Church................................$5,000 Tri-State Museum..........................................$10,000 Fassbender Photographic Collection, Inc......$11,500 Philip Horizons.................................................$5,000 Merton Township Board of Supervisors.......................................$1,500 South Dakota Heritage Fund.........................$24,000 Dell Rapids Society for Historic Preservation......................................$24,000 Yankton Scottish Rite.....................................$24,000 The Pearl Hotel, Inc.......................................$10,000 Historic Homestake Opera House...................$7,500 Fassbender Photographic Collection, Inc......$17,500 Hot Springs Lodge #112.................................$6,500 Lead Country Club........................................$10,000 2012 Total...................................................$250,000 City of Mobridge..............................................$3,000 Sioux Falls State Theatre Company.................$9,000 Newell Museum............................................... $7,000 Historic Rapid City.........................................$10,000 Pyle House......................................................$4,500 Black Hills Mining Museum..............................$8,500 Keystone Area Historical Society...................$15,000 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church........................$25,000 Lead Rifle & Pistol Club.................................$24,000 Frawley Ranches, Inc.......................................$7,500 South Dakota State Railroad Museum............$4,500 Society of Black Hills Pioneers.........................$5,100 Little Big Horn Associates, Inc.........................$1,500 Buffalo Gap Area Community Center............$11,300 City of Mobridge............................................$20,000 City of Lead.....................................................$5,100 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home......................$3,000 Fall River County Historical Society................$10,000 Lead Country Club..........................................$7,500 Booth Society, Inc..........................................$12,500 Historic Homestake Opera House Society....................................$15,000 Augustana College........................................$15,500 Butte County Historical Society.......................$3,000 Historic Rapid City...........................................$7,500 South Dakota State Historical Society..................................$15,000 2013 Total...................................................$250,000

historic preservation dollars at work are evident at the Adams Museum, Historic Adams House, Days of ‘76 and Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.

In 2005, the Adams Museum was able to address life-safety issues in the building with $1 million in historic preservation funds committed to making the facility more user-friendly. That same year, the Historic Preservation Commission also committed $3 million to help construct a 32,000-square-foot museum to properly display an extensive assemblage of horsedrawn vehicles, the Don Clowser pioneer and American Indian artifacts and Days of ’76 celebration and rodeo collections.

The new museum officially opened to great acclaim in 2013. The Historic Adams House and contents were purchased with $225,000 of historic preservation funds in 1992 and underwent a $1.5 million restoration completed in 2000, with matching funds from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation.

The former F.L. Thorpe Building was purchased in 2007 and climate-controlled storage space created with $1.5 million in historic preservation funds to house the extensive Homestake Gold Mine archival collection and to establish the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.

In addition, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission annually commits $308,000 to help fund Deadwood History’s operations.

“Without gaming-derived historic preservation dollars, the Days of ’76 and HARCC projects would never have happened, the Adams Museum may well have shut its doors, and the Historic Adams House would never have been restored as a museum for the public to enjoy,” said Deadwood History Executive Director Mary Kopco. “The impact of HP funds on our organization is enormous. Without them, we would be operating on a shoestring budget, we wouldn’t be able to produce the changing exhibits, programs, tours and publications that augment our mission of housing and interpreting Deadwood’s history, and our community outreach programs would be nonexistent.”

Kopco cautions that the Historic Preservation Commission doesn’t simply hand over funds to the organization.

“The non-profit organization is committed to more than matching HP’s

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

contribution through extensive fund-raising efforts,” Kopco said. “We also are held accountable for making sure that historic preservation’s contribution is spent on preserving and interpreting our history.

It’s a great public-private partnership that works very well.”

The historic preservation impact that results from the preservation partnership is Deadwood putting its best foot forward — the Deadwood that the rest of the country and for that matter, the world, see when the properties are toured.

A sampling of other projects that have been undertaken with the help of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission includes: The Deadwood History and Information Center is the result of a full restoration of the former 1897 Freemont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley railroad depot.

Deadwood City Hall and Police Station is the result of the restoration and conversion of the 1936 Fish & Hunter warehouse building.

The Days of ’76 Rodeo Grandstand is a historic log structure, which has hosted rodeos and other events since 1924. When it underwent extensive and historically accurate renovation, the structure had been condemned by the insurance carrier.

The $3.5 million restoration of Mount Moriah Cemetery was completed in 2003.

Walls were rebuilt, monuments refurbished, ironwork and masonry restored and streets repaired.

The $2.5 million restoration of St. Ambrose Cemetery is due to be completed in

This Historic Adams House and its contents were purchased in 1992 using historic preservation funds.

2015. Fences were repaired, monuments refurbished and vegetation management completed.

The Homestake gold ore processing plant renovation, which now houses the Deadwood Mountain Grand, involved around $1.7 million in historic preservation funds.

The $1.5 million renovation of the historic Pineview building is now complete and houses hotel rooms.

The Lawrence County Courthouse is a 1908 structure, declared unsafe in 1986, which underwent a complete $4 million renovation and restoration project in the 1990s. Historic Preservation funds were used to restore murals and decorative stencil paintings that had been uncovered by workers in the main courtroom, the rotunda and other public areas. Kopco counts this among one of the greatest “HP” saves, as the effort to save it was led by the people of Lawrence County.

“Am I a huge advocate of what Deadwood did? Absolutely! The foresight of the Historic Preservation Commission, elected officials and city employees is amazing. The regulations and ordinances they put in place were absolutely necessary or we could have easily lost our historic town,” Kopco said.

But Kopco and Kuchenbecker agree, historic preservation is an ongoing process that never ends and there is still so much more that needs to be done in Deadwood, due in large part to its special designation.

Through the Years 1874

Custer leads expedition to the Black Hills

1875

John B. Pearson finds gold in “Deadwood Gulch.”

1876

Wild Bill shot playing poker in Deadwood.

Black Hills Pioneer newspaper publishes its first issue. Still in operation today, it’s the first business West River, Dakota Territory Gold Rush in Deadwood brings gamblers & girls to town.

1877

Seth Bullock is appointed Sheriff of Deadwood by the Governor.

The Homestake Mining Company is incorporated & becomes the basis of the Hearst financial empire & sister city Lead’s largest employer for 125 years.

1879

The Great Deadwood Fire destroys Main Street business district.

1880

Census records estimate Deadwood’s population to be 3,777.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

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‘It was chaos.’

Slot machine vendor Mike Trucano recalls Deadwood gaming’s opening day

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

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he 25 years of experience stalwart Deadwood slot machine vendor Mike Trucano gleaned by good old trial and error beginning on Nov. 1, 1989 are a far cry from gaming’s first explosive day in the Gulch, one that caught most everyone in the brand new gambling business off guard.

“We were in the coin machine business, so we thought we knew what we were doing taking the next step into the slot machine business,” Trucano said. The slots didn’t arrive until about a week before Nov. 1, and we were really working long hours to get them mounted on bases. We didn’t know a slot machine from a jukebox at that time.”

But he and his crew persevered, figuring out how they worked and getting them

• 11 Casinos featuring all your Favorite Slots & Live Table Games • Deluxe Hotel Accommodations • FREE Wi-Fi Internet • FREE On-Site Parking in our covered parking ramp • FREE Beer, Wine & Cocktails for players

the coin in, coin out process was a little delivered to eight different Deadwood loloosey-goosey. cations before the gunshot at high noon in “I was running change around in the the Franklin Hotel signaled gaming’s start. back of my pickup,” Trucano said. “Back “On Halloween it was snowing, so we then it was all coin — coins in, coins out were hauling slot machines into the Frankso when hopper would run out of money lin during a snow storm at six in evening,” you would have to put more coins into slot Trucano said. “The next day arrives and machine. We didn’t have a we think we’re ready. At very good system of keeping high noon the telephone track of any of that so on a started ringing off the hook.

“I was running change wing and a prayer we tried I had two or three guys in around in the back of to keep track of where the the shop and myself and my pickup.” money was going and into everything from coin jams ~ Mike Trucano to change calls to a blown which slot machines. We quickly developed a system fuse, the phone calls were for that later, but on the very just constant. So we took first day it was chaos.” calls and took calls and took calls … into The aforementioned cycle of relentless the night. Thank God at 2 in the morning, gaming action for ancillary businesses like everybody was closed.”

Trucano’s Black Hills Novelty Company With no practical, on the job rules and paralleled the enthusiasm Deadwood regulations yet established due to the visitors displayed at the casinos. novelty of Deadwood’s new innovation,

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Destination Deadwood©

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

“It went on like that for about three weeks — 8 in the morning until 2 the next morning,” Trucano said. “Then on Thanksgiving Day, all of our locations were closed and it was like a three-week vacation, that one day. We were learning every day about this thing called a slot machine and how to service them, how to service our customers. By the first of the year, we knew a lot about slot machines and routing slot machines.”

Trucano said that in retrospect, fortunately the opening day of gaming was in November.

“Had it opened on Fourth of July or during the motorcycle Rally or at a busier time, as chaotic as it was, it would have been impossible,” Trucano said. “I credit Chuck Lien and the initial gaming commission for choosing Nov. 1. Whether by accident or design, it was fortunate for Deadwood and my company and our town.”

Trucano remembers the kickoff celebration was held at the Franklin Hotel and that was where first slot machine handle was pulled. From there, he, his crew and the entire town learned with every subsequent pull.

“We didn’t know, frankly, enough about how gambling even worked, that in some slot machines you had to put in third coin to buy the third pay table, so a player would say ‘I got 777 why didn’t I get paid?’ and we’d give them the deer in the headlights look and say ‘Hell, I don’t know’ and sometimes make a mistake and pay them because we didn’t know enough about what we were trying to do,” Trucano said.

It seems that no corner of Deadwood was left untouched when it came to quick and startlingly steep exponential learning experiences regarding the gaming industry. Nor were the higher-ups in Pierre spared the same.

Deadwood businessman Mike Trucano owned Black Hills Novelty which serviced many of Deadwood’s casino slot machines on opening day Nov. 1, 1989 and for more than two decades following. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

“I remember the first night or second night of gaming. It was 6 or 7 o’clock and the initial executive secretary of the gaming commission, Don Gromer, had one other person in his office, Stan Triplet,” Trucano recalled. “I know that everyone else was struggling as bad as we struggled because Don came to our office that evening and it was utter chaos.

There we were wrapping coins and our cash control was not very good and nickels and quarters and currency and checks were flying all over everywhere. Don came down later and said he had a heck of a couple of days, that he was seeing chaos everywhere and that he was going to be happy to know at least one guy in town knew what he was doing … he shook his head and said tomorrow was going to be a better day.”

Including himself, Trucano’s crew at Black Hills Novelty quickly grew from a total of 12 or 13 people on the first day of gaming, more than doubling to 30 within a month.

“I was not the only one that failed the preparation for the early days of gambling. We thought we were ready, truly thought we were ready. We had extra people on that day,” Trucano said. “There were so many situations where you had to use common sense and what you think is good judgment — always give the customer, the guest, the player the benefit of any doubt because when you don’t know you have to give the benefit to your customer.

You look back on it and today it’s funny.

But we learned. As life goes on, as you travel the path of life, you just learn.”

Through the Years 1881

Deadwood incorporated as a city

1882

A flood washes out Deadwood.

The city rebuilds again, this time with the bricks & mortar still standing today.

1889

South Dakota receives its statehood.

South Dakota enacts prohibition law.

1890s

Full-scale crusades against gambling begin in Deadwood.

Poker Alice arrives in Deadwood.

Anti-gambling legislation being passed.

1894

A fire starts in a boarding house & destroys Deadwood’s business district.

1900

Net gold production in the Black Hills estimated at $7,250,000, up from $3,904,160 in 1890.

1902-1924

Electric trolley line runs between Deadwood and Lead, changes into a bus line in 1924.

1903

Calamity Jane dies soon after returning to Deadwood.

1905

Harris Franklin purchases the first modern automobile to reach Deadwood, a dark green Model F Cadillac.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

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New gaming opportunities?

Deadwood casinos seek approval of three new games with constitutional change

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

N

ov. 1 is the official 25th anniversary date of gaming in Deadwood.

Just three days later, on Nov. 4, that historic start-up date may be significantly enhanced if South Dakota voters approve Amendment Q , which would permit the state legislature to authorize roulette, keno and craps in addition to already existing limited card games and slot machines within the municipal limits of Deadwood.

Amendment Q is on the Nov. 4, ballot in South Dakota as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.

Voters in the state approved the initial ammendment in 1988. Casinos

became operational in Deadwood on didn’t offer,” said Deadwood Gaming Nov. 1, 1989. Casino revenues more Association Executive Director Mike than doubled from $25.6 million in Rodman. “The constitution current1990 to $56.6 million in 1991. In 2009 ly allows slots and card games. As casino revenues peaked in customers go to Iowa, Deadwood at $111 million.

Wyoming, North DakoSince then, revenues have ta and Colorado, they been between $104.3 are learning how to play Keno, craps and million and $110.8 million. roulette may be headed craps, roulette and keno.

The proposed amendment back to Deadwood, this We want to be able to prowould allow keno, craps time on the up and up. vide the types of games and roulette to be played. our customers are asking The reasoning for adding for, diversification in these three games is to what we offer. As gaming jumpstart revenue growth. customers become more sophisticated “What we were hearing from cusand gaming continues to grow across tomers is that as they were going to the country, our gaming customers are surrounding states was that they were asking for other opportunities and we being exposed to additional games we want to be able to give it to them.”

Left, an antique roulette wheel and right, a keno goose both from the late 1800s, kept gaming going back in Deadwood’s early days. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

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Destination Deadwood©

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Attorney General Marty Jackley’s ballot explanation of constitutional amendment Q is as follows.

Title: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution authorizing the legislature to allow roulette, keno and craps in Deadwood.

Explanation: The constitution currently authorizes the legislature to allow two kinds of games of chance in Deadwood: limited card games and slot machines. The proposed amendment would amend Section 25 of Article III of the Constitution of South Dakota: § 25. Games of Chance Prohibited--Exceptions.

The proposed amendment authorizes the legislature to also allow roulette, keno and craps in Deadwood.

Under federal law, any games of chance authorized by the legislature to be offered in Deadwood would also be allowed at on-reservation tribal casinos.

A vote “yes” is for changing the constitution to allow the legislature to authorize roulette, keno and craps in Deadwood.

A vote “no” will leave the constitution as it is.

The measure, upon voter approval, would permit the state legislature to authorize roulette, keno, craps, limited card games and slot machines within the municipal limits of Deadwood.

All municipal revenues derived from casinos would continue to be allocated towards the Historic Restoration and Preservation of Deadwood. A 60 percent supermajority approval by local voters would no longer be required under the amendment.

Currently in Deadwood, roulette, keno and craps are not permitted, but limited card games and slot machines are. Also, a 60 percent supermajority vote by city voters is currently required to approve a piece of legislation allowing a gambling facility.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

The amendment was introduced into the South Dakota Legislature as House Joint Resolution 1001 and required simple majority approval in both chambers of the South Dakota Legislature. HJR 1001 was approved by the South Dakota House on Jan. 30 with 37 “yes” votes (55.22 percent) and 30 “no” votes (44.78 percent). The legislation was approved by the South Dakota Senate on March 5 with 25 “yes” votes (71.43 percent) and 10 “no” votes (28.57 percent).

The amendment was delivered to the secretary of state on March 12.

The following officials sponsored the amendment in the legislature: Rep. Timothy Johns (R-Lead), Rep. Fred Romkema (R-Spearfish) and Sen. Bob Ewing (R-Spearfish).

Rodman said that according to an American Gaming Association survey of casino entertainment games, roulette and craps are more popular than poker right now.

“The light bulb went off and we said, ‘We need to offer more,’ which was the impetus for us to approach the legislature to put it on the ballot for the citizens of South Dakota to take a look at,” Rodman said. “In November, it’s up to the citizens to see if Deadwood has those games and provides those types of games that customers are asking for and finding in other states.”

He added that the ultimate goal is to attract more visitors to Deadwood and to provide them with more gaming offerings than Deadwood currently has.

“More, various games means more for visitors to do,” Rodman said. “In some areas where there are gaming opportunities and customers can choose to go to Deadwood or go to another gaming jurisdiction, we believe those customers are not coming to Deadwood, that they are going to other gaming communities. We want them to be looking at other reasons to choose, other than those additional games.”

Through the Years 1907

Federal Courthouse & Post Office finished in Deadwood, opens to public.

Deadwood’s streets paved with bricks.

1908

Lawrence County Courthouse finished in Deadwood.

1910

Lawrence County turns wagon roads into improved highways.

1913

Major gambling raid in Deadwood.

1919

Prohibition Act passed by U.S. government. Reformers attack gambling and prostitution establishments in Deadwood.

1920s

Though gambling and drinking operate behind closed doors, prostitution establishments are still thriving illegally.

Many of Deadwood’s historic Main Street structures undergo renovations, additions, or change the types of businesses they house during this time. Many also change hands.

1922

New York Yankees Babe Ruth & Bob Meusel play in All-Star game against Deadwood’s Olympic Club nine, winners of this year’s Black Hills league pennant, for a season-closer treat in Deadwood.

1923

Days of ‘76 begins in Deadwood.

1927

Gutzon Borglum begins carving Mt. Rushmore.

Destination Deadwood©

11

Historic Preservation at work Celebrating what 25 years of gaming revenue has done to preserve history in Deadwood and across the state of South Dakota.

In 1961 the entire City of Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark.

The introduction of gaming on November 1, 1989 has enabled Deadwood to preserve its historic buildings and dramatically increased tourism. The lure of gaming is not the only draw to Deadwood; people are also fascinated by its unique, colorful history.

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.

Today, money generated through gaming has funded historic preservation projects and programs within Deadwood and throughout the State of South Dakota. Each year, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission awards up to $250,000 on projects outside of Deadwood but within the state. Within the city limits, gaming revenues are disseminated through a variety of programs including paint, window, siding, retaining wall, and special needs for the elderly administered through NeighborWorks and the Preservation Office. Gaming revenues also help in the preservation and interpretation of Deadwood’s history through its museums and archives, outdoor interpretive signs, walking tours, educational programing, and re-enactments. We encourage you to stop and spend some time in Historic Deadwood!

108 Sherman Street • Deadwood, SD 57732 • 12

Destination Deadwood©

• www.cityofdeadwood.com • Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Deadwood Nugget

According to legend, “The Deadman’s Hand” is aces (clubs & spades) and eights (clubs & spades) with the fifth card being the nine of diamonds. Photo by Carly Meyer

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

'Bucking the Tiger'

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

S

imilar to the modern-day version of Mini-Baccarat, for many years the king of the card games in Deadwood and the Wild West was a popular casino card game called faro.

Players who enjoyed the game in the late 18th and early 19th centuries were said to be “bucking the tiger,” while gamblers on a winning streak were “pulling the tiger’s tail.”

“Faro was a widely popular game in which there was a slight advantage to the house,” said Deadwood History exhibits curator Darrel Nelson. “In Deadwood, the house or whichever establishment in which it was played,

usually lost money. The game seems to have been something of a teaser or feeder game to keep players present and playing. It was specifically intended to accommodate a quick turnover of players and a large number of players at once,” Nelson added.

A game of faro was often called a “faro bank.” It was played with an entire deck of playing cards.

The faro table was square, with a spot cut out for the banker. A board with a standardized betting layout consisting of one card of each denomination pasted to it, called the “Layout,” was placed on top of the table. Traditionally, the

suit of spades was used for the layout.

Players could bet on a card of any rank by placing their chips on a reproduction of the card on the table’s game board. Each player laid their stake on one of the 13 cards on the layout.

In an attempt Bets on single cards to portray the were placed on top of Old West period the card on the layout accurately, faro is often shown and the suit of the card being played was unimportant. by the main Players could place characters multiple bets and could in the movies bet on multiple cards “Tombstone,” simultaneously by plac“Wyatt Earp” ing their bet between and “Open cards or on specific card Range. edges. Players also had the choice of betting on the high card located at the top of the layout.

When all bets were in, the dealer dealt two cards from a box. Anyone who had bet on that card lost. Anyone betting on the second card won. Any player who had wagered on other cards had the choice of leaving the bet in place, changing it or withdrawing it for the next play.

A player could “copper” their bet, or bet that a card would lose instead of win, at the same time reversing normal play, by placing a hexagonal token called a “copper” on the bet.

Along with the use of a layout and dealing box, a faro game also utilized a “case keep” This was an abacus-like device which kept track of dealt cards, allowing gamblers to see how many cards of a particular rank had been played. It was also Continued on page 17

Photo by Jaci Conrad-Pearson Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

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Congratulations

Deadwood on 25 years of Gaming!

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Destination Deadwood©

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

From page 15

used to prevent dealer cheating by counting cards.

In an attempt to portray the Old West period accurately, faro is often shown being played by the main characters in the movies “Tombstone, “Wyatt Earp” and “Open Range.”

Faro dealers often traveled with their gaming equipment from town to town, setting up their faro bank and often risking their personal fortune in a saloon for a fee or running a “house” bank in exchange for a per-

centage of the action.

One famous early-Deadwood resident was well-versed in the game.

“Poker Alice gained her fame as a faro dealer. She is said to have been able to make money consistently for whatever gaming hall that employed her,” Nelson said.

Faro was the most popular and celebrated saloon gambling game in the Old West from 1825 through 1915. By 1925, it had all but vanished in favor of craps and roulette, which also gave a better “edge” to the house.

Through the Years 1927

“The Spirit of Deadwood” historical pageant attracts President Calvin Coolidge to the Black Hills for vacation; 400,000 other tourists follow suit.

Charles Lindbergh flies over Deadwood as part of promotional tour; drops autographed note regarding his Atlantic flight.

1928

Gov. Bulow pardons Poker Alice after she was convicted on a bootlegging charge. The governor was reluctant to send a “white haired old lady to prison.”

1929

Potato Creek Johnny is credited with finding one of the largest gold nuggets in the Black Hills, at more than 7 3/4 troy ounces.

1930

With a bona fide faro board in the background, Arlette Hansen holds a faro “case keep.” Both were formerly on display at the Adams Museum as part of the “Betting on Deadwood” exhibit. Pioneer photo

by Jaci Conrad-Pearson

Drought begins in July 1930, the second driest ever recorded in the state’s history. Dust Bowl and Great Depression combine to mark this decade the “Dirty 30s.”

A Weekend Away!

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Belle Fourche, SD...........................28 Cody, WY.....................................421 Crazy Horse Mountain..................57 Custer State Park............................65 Denver, CO..................................395 Devils Tower, WY..........................90 Edgemont, SD..............................112 Harney Peak...................................60 Hill City, SD...................................45 Hot Springs, SD.............................95 Keystone, SD..................................55 Mt. Coolidge..................................76 Mt. Rushmore................................60 Newcastle, WY...............................68

Orman Dam..................................30 Pierre, SD.....................................220 Rapid City, SD...............................42 Rapid City Regional Airport.........52 Sheridan, WY..............................211 Sioux Falls, SD.............................395 Spearfish, SD.................................15 Spearfish Canyon...........................16 Ivan Lake.......................................62 Wall Drug.......................................96 West Gate Yellowstone.................557 Wind Cave......................................83 Terry Peak & Ski Mystic Deer Mountain Ski Resorts..............8

s Please note mileage is estimated. s

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Prominent Deadwood citizen and former Mayor, W.E. Adams, builds the Adams Museum for an estimated $75,000 and donates it to the city as a tribute to Black Hills pioneers and in memory of his deceased first wife and two daughters.

The narrow gauge railroad, the Black Hills and Fort Pierre, was abandoned on Jan. 13, 1930, as well as all the stations along the line.

1930s

“Moving pictures,” come to the Deadwood Theater, which was converted from an opera house into a movie palace, where the latest productions were shown.

Destination Deadwood©

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Destination DeadwoodŠ

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination DeadwoodŠ

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Gold, girls, gunmen & gamblers The fall and rise of gambling in the gulch: 1876-1989

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

O

ne thing’s for sure: When Deadwood set out to bring legalized gambling back to the city in 1989, there was no need for a marketing campaign to realign its image in the minds of potential visitors seeking a piece of the Wild West.

Instead, the wild and wooly history so closely associated with Deadwood was played up to the hilt. Its biggest appeal was a glimpse back in time complete with the rowdy and bawdy practices that had attracted adventure-seekers for years — the gold, the girls, and, of course, the games.

Since the establishment of the roughand-tumble gold camp in 1876, Deadwood has held an irresistible draw for pistol-packing patrons seeking anything from gold to girls and gambling.

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Destination Deadwood©

Deadwood and Lead, the Chinese also Deadwood has always been a place loved their lotteries, participating side with saloons that steadfastly called by side in such stakes as the Louisiana to card sharks, and back in Lottery. Although many of the aforethe day, betting games that mentioned were widely participated in, beckoned to the boomlocals seemingly lived for a reason to town’s growing list of bet. Dog fights, horse races, cock fights, famous gamblers. foot races, mining contests, prizefights In the early and elections were all fair game.

Deadwood According to Watson Parker in days, one of “Deadwood: The Golden Years,” by the largest 1881 Deadwood became an incorporatsources of ed city, which granted the city fathers disorderly authority “to restrain, prohibit and conduct suppress tippling shops, billiard tables, was 10-pin alleys, ball alleys, houses of prosgamtitution and other disorderly houses and bling. practices, games and gambling houses, Much to desecration of the Sabbath, commonly the chagrin of called Sunday, and all kinds of indecenmany honest and unascies.” suming prospectors simply The authorities were hard pressed in town for the excitement of it to enforce any one of these restrictions all, the Gold Rush brought hundreds and gambling as a welcomed partner of professional gamblers to town who to saloon keeping and other questionearned quite a profitable trade at the able recreational endeavors, proceeded gaming tables at the expense of those undisturbed in Deadwood. not so well-versed in the finery of the Of all the characters who passed fold and the hold. The gamblers in through the history of training didn’t take kindly the gambling town, to such bilking, which endSince the establishment James Butler “Wild Bill” ed up being the source of of the roughHickok remains the most many a ruckus. and-tumble celebrated.

The most popular legitigold camp in Hickok was shot by mate game in the Old West 1876, Deadwood drifter Jack McCall was faro. Gamblers back has held an while playing poker then were an impatient lot irrestible draw in Nuttal and Mann’s and preferred the fastfor pistol-packing saloon (today’s Saloon paced action it provided. patrons seeking No. 10) on Aug. 2, 1876, The Wide West Saloon on anything from with his back to the the corner of Main and gold to girls and gambling. door, a place he tried to Gold streets operated one avoid. of the earliest faro games.

According to legend, Hickok was Other fast-paced casino favorites holding the “Dead Man’s Hand — two were roulette and craps. Other popuaces and eights, all black. The identity lar games included three-card monte, of the fifth card remains under dispute. keno, chuck-a-luck, roulette, 21 — also Although widespread, gambling had called blackjack — and poker, with the its opponents in Deadwood’s early days house taking a percentage of each pot. and by the 1890s, full-scale crusades Chinese gambling games included against the games began. The arrival “fan-tan,” a favorite that made use of statehood in 1889 soon saw antiof buttons or beans and resembling gambling legislation being passed into dominoes. Along with the citizens of

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

law in South Dakota. Random raids on gaming establishments began by the early 1890s and increased in the following years.

In 1905, gambling was officially banned in Deadwood and Lead. Due to widespread non-compliance, gambling was, instead, heavily suppressed with the new city law that closed down between eight and 10 gambling houses.

Although commonly regarded as an honest, if unproductive, business, it was stopped due to its strong ties with drinking and prostitution.

According to a report in the Pioneer Press on Dec. 6, 1907, local law enforcement closed even more of the remaining open gaming doors.

“Again the lid, lifted quietly at infrequent intervals, has been jammed down with a bang and Deadwood once more is closed. Sheriff Trathen slipped into five alleged gambling houses on Main Street during the early hours of the evening and found the games in full swing. Roulette and faro layouts to the value of over $1,000 were seized, along with a number of players and dealers, and moving into the new courthouse will be celebrated with a large bonfire at the expense of the gamblers. The raid was unexpected in most quarters, and has resulted from the investigations of a detective employed by the State’s Attorney, Stewart and the sheriff,” the story reports.

In March of 1913, authorities raided

three Deadwood establishments: the basement saloon in the Franklin Hotel, the Bodega and the Mansion.

Eventually, two of the most active sporting towns in the country were shut down, negatively affecting Deadwood’s economy by shutting out play for the last of the professional sinners.

There were an estimated 2,500 people engaged or supported by the sporting business in Lead and Deadwood prior to the crackdown.

With Deadwood’s gaming establishments officially closed, the era of bootleggers and the speakeasy began.

It was the roaring ’20s and prohibition kept all but the most popular clubs, for example, the Three Nickels, 555 Main St., pretty much out of business or under wraps until 1933, when prohibition ended and covert operations were unnecessary.

According to Bob Lee’s “Gold, Gals, Guns, Guts,” it was a genteel time, with gamblers often referred to as “knights of the green cloth.” Many of the most successful avoided the alcohol that flowed freely in the establishments they frequented, choosing to play sober. The avoidance separated the “men from the boys, the seasoned professionals from the short-lived amateurs.

“The gamblers in the 1930s were members of a respectable occupation.

The pioneer gambler dressed the part to show his respectable and substantial station in life. There was the broadcloth suit, string tie or wide cravat with a Continued on page 22

Through the Years 1930s

Homestake Mining Company sinks the Ross and Yates shafts, expands the South Mill, undertakes a housing project in Lead and constructs the Kirk Power Plant.

1934

Congress passes the Federal Gold Reserve Act of 1934, which sets the price of gold at $35 an ounce. While the rest of the country is in a severe depression, the cities of Lead and Deadwood are booming.

1935

A 4 percent gross tax is imposed on unrefined ore.

Homestake’s stock price had shot up from $50 a share to $430 after the Roosevelt administration devalued the dollar, creating a high demand for gold, which raised the price of gold from $21 to $35 an ounce.

The Prohibition Act is repealed. Open gambling flourishes in Deadwood once again, along with prostitution.

1939

World War II begins with the German invasion of Poland.

1940s Deadwood attempts to recreate its earlier historical image, as barn board covers fine Victorian details and wagon wheels and wooden canopies are attached to building fronts, sawdust is spread on the floors and kerosene lamps are hung from rafters. With many Main Street buildings remodeled during this decade, the city abandons its real history for one that might sell better.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

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From page 21

ing industry followed World War II. On June 28, 1947, the state officially diamond stickpin that said, ‘Don’t worshut down gaming operations in Deadry, boys, your stake is covered.’ wood. As a headline in The Deadwood “The gambler of Poker Alice’s Day Pioneer-Times on Monday, June 30, would arrive in town with his own 1947 stated: “Lightning Gambling Raid layout comprised of a folding counter Closes Tables, State and Local Officers and a card bank. The play Move in On Deadwood was in legitimate gambling Clubs.”

Deadwood’s houses, the games out in Called the “biggest biggest appeal the open, with a percentand most successful” was a glimpse age of .5 to 3 percent gambling raid in the back in time going to the house. The state’s history, “sixcomplete with the games were fast and large rowdy and bawdy teen raiders struck practices that had sums wagered and lost.

Deadwood during a attracted advenMany of the gamblers bebusy Saturday night. ture-seekers for came saloon keepers and The raid netted years – the gold, substantial members of the about $3,800 in cash, the girls, and, of mining community. The between $20,000 and course, the games. tin horns and the crooked $25,000 worth of gamblers, according to equipment and resulted Poker Alice, were the product of back in the arrest of around 20 operators rooms where gambling was illegal.” and proprietors. The equipment, While the closing of wide-open gamwhich includes roulette, dice, and bling was merely temporary reform, black jack tables, filled a moving van never again did gambling rise to the and truck,” read the story, which heights it had achieved prior to prohistated: bition.

“The Deadwood gaming places had The next blow to Deadwood’s gamrecently re-opened about three weeks

prior to the raid after being closed a year and a half, in the wake of an anti-gambling campaign of former Lawrence County state’s attorney Clinton Richards.

“The re-opening came shortly after Attorney General Sigurd Anderson notified sheriffs and state’s attorneys that gambling laws must be enforced.

“Raided simultaneously were the Gold Bar, Buffalo Bodega, Old Style and the Eagle Inn. Anderson said at Pierre that state assistance was requested by Lawrence County State’s Attorney Larry McDonald after the gambling places failed to heed a ‘close-up’ warning.

“McDonald said that all operators in Deadwood had been warned by letter that if they were in violation of the state laws against gambling they could expect investigation at any time.

A number of verbal complaints had been received in his office, he said and that he had been informed of complaints arriving at the attorney general’s office in Pierre.

“The raid was made at the request of the Lawrence County state’s attor-

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Through the Years 1940s Residential construction of this period is on the decline and best represent-

ed by small Cape Cod cottages.

1941

Mount Rushmore completed.

U.S. enters WW II.

1943

Deadwood’s open gaming practices were halted by the state on Saturday, June 28, 1947, as this Deadwood Pioneer-Times headline from Monday, June 30, 1947, announces.

The city restored legalized gambling on Nov. 1, 1989. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad-Pearson

ney, Price said, after numerous complaints had been received. A large crowd of local people and tourists watched the officers enter the night clubs and carry out equipment which was loaded into the truck of the Pioneer Transfer Company, owned by Ed Keene, and taken to the sheriff’s office.”

After years of serving as a banking, wholesale and commercial center, as well as a medical center for the four state area of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota and with the advent of an increasingly mobile society and retail movement toward the Rushmore Mall in Rapid City, came a slow, steady decline on Deadwood’s Main Street.

By the time the Deadwood You Bet Committee decided to try to change the constitution of South Dakota in order to bring legalized gaming back to their town, Deadwood was dying, its infrastructure crumbling.

The fire of 1987, which gutted part of Main Street, along

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

with the state and federal shutdown of the city’s remaining brothels in 1980, were the final nails in the city’s coffin and coffers.

But at high noon Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1989, the historic sounds of chips clicking, slots humming and cards being shuffled had returned to Deadwood. In November 2000, voters increased Deadwood’s bet limits from $5 to $100. On July 1, 2012, high stakes gaming came to town and bet limits were further increased to $1,000. Its rambling roots restored, history had come full circle in the Deadwood Gold Camp of old.

Chinook wind hits Deadwood on Jan. 15, with temperatures varying from minus 16 degrees in the morning to minus 10 degrees at 5 p.m., 35 degrees by 6 p.m. and climbing to 44 degrees above zero by 7 p.m.

1946

Seaton Publishing purchases the Deadwood Pioneer-Times and the Lead Daily Call, combining the two and publishing them under one masthead.

1947

Gambling officially ends in Deadwood.

1948

Work begins onCrazy Horse memorial sculpture.

Parking meters installed on Deadwood’s Main Street.

Deadwood Fire, Main Street.

1949

Blizzard of ‘49 begins on Jan. 1 and lasts four days, at one point bringing 43 inches of snow in 48 hours and paralyzing the town. By month’s end, 77.4 inches of snow had fallen in Deadwood.

1950s

Deadwood faces serious economic decline.

Destination Deadwood©

23

Evolution of the One-Armed Bandit Slot machines evolved significantly over last 25 years

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

N

o more pulling the lever. No more coins spilling into the tray. No more one-trick ponies. Initiating play on today’s slot machines in Deadwood has evolved from pulling a one-armed bandit to a much easier way to spin the reels, cash in and cash out, all with just the push of a button.

“Day one, it was all coin in, coin out, so it was much harder to operate,” said Black Hills Novelty/AG Trucano, Son and Grandsons former owner Mike Trucano who installed and serviced many of the slot machines used in Deadwood on day one of gaming. “Back in those early days, it was much more labor intensive because you were constantly running coin. Coin is heavy, so you were hauling heavy coin in and out of slot machines in locations every

day. Dropping coin into a slot machine, which most don’t any more, has its own set of problems. Coins get jammed on the way in and on the way out. The hopper knife wears as coins roll over it and you have to replace those. Coins wear on parts and pieces of the acceptor mechanisms.

You had to be a much better technician back then because there were so many moving parts.”

Trucano explained that today, it’s all about bill acceptors, video monitors and printers.

“Today, it’s infinitely easier than it was in 1989 because you have bills and bill acceptors that accept currency and the payout is almost all ticket. If something isn’t taking a bill, you go to the shop and get one to replace it. It’s easy today. If a printer isn’t printing, you go back to the shop, get one, unplug the one that isn’t working, and plug in new one. If the video

monitor goes out, you replace the monitor by taking one from the shelf and installing it, so the guys in the field don’t have to be quite as talented. It puts the onus on the ones on the bench repairing all the bad bill collectors, monitors, printers. Today, it’s bills in, tickets out, and it’s video based, so they’re much different creatures than they were in 1989.”

A person playing a slot machine purchases the right to play by inserting cash, or in newer Ticket-In, Ticket-Out machines, a paper ticket with a barcode, into a designated slot on the machine. The machine is then activated by means of a lever or button, or on newer machines, by pressing a touchscreen on its face.

The sound of coins clanging into slot machine trays heard back in ‘89 has fallen silent, as printers inside the machines quietly zip out credit slips at the push of a button.

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Destination Deadwood©

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

These machines have more than one “It was coin in and all stepper, which is payline, meaning that visible symbols three reel – chunk, chunk, chunk. Back in that are not aligned on the main hori1989, that was 95 percent, with five perzontal may be considered for winning cent video poker in Deadwood,” Trucano combinations. said. “Today it is 20 percent stepper and While reel slot machines commonly 80 percent video to include a little bit of have three or five paylines, video slot video poker, but all video based games. machines may have nine, They’re reel based, but 15, 25, or as many as 243 displayed on video screen. different paylines. Most They are much more enterSlot machines have video slot machines have taining to the player today evolved from pulling a a themed game, some of because many have bonus one-armed bandit to a which feature graphics and features. If you get a certain much easier way to spin music based on popular encombination the video the reels, cash in and tertainers, motion pictures screen will change into bocash out, all with just or TV programs with a nus feature and play bonus the push of a button. bonus round. Most accept game. That was not the case variable amounts of credit in 1989, so it’s a much more to play with 1 to 15 credits enjoyable experience today per line being typical. The higher the than was then.” amount bet, the higher the payout will be In fact, one of Deadwood’s lonif the player wins. gest-running games is still around because Trucano said that machines have gone of its long-standing bonus game function. from higher denominations to lower “A game called Top Dollar was denominations, as well. certainly around in the early 90s. You “Twenty five years ago, we had 25 still see Top Dollars on the street today percent nickel games, 50 percent quarter in Deadwood and that is an interesting games, 25 percent $1 games. Today there game because it has a bonus feature. It are 10 percent $1 games, 10 percent was kind of the original bonus feature quarter games 5 percent nickel and 75 game, although on stepper platform – percent penny games,” Trucano said. chunk, chunk, chunk. If you got a certain “It’s not unusual to bet 200 pennies on combination on the reels, there was a boa spin, wagering $2. Video based games nus game awarded on the top box. You’ll made their debut in the late 90s and just find a lot of those still in Deadwood grew and grew and grew in popularity.” today. They’re fun. That’s why they’re still around.”

Multi-line slot machines have become more popular over the last two decades.

Through the Years 1950s Deadwood’s brick streets are covered with asphalt.

Summer tourism overwhelms the everyday commercial activities during the summer, with the nightly arrest of Jack McCall taking precedent over most other business activities.

Homestake begins an extensive program to completely modernize surface and underground mining operations, as well as diversify its mining activities.

A rash of fires burn through Deadwood’s business district, damaging or leveling several structures and in 1951, city hall and all its records are destroyed by fire.

1951 On Dec. 22, a half block on Deadwood’s Main Street occupied by a grocery store, shoe store, children’s shop and coffee supply firm, is razed by fire.

In January, a fire wipes out Deadwood City Hall and all its records, a jewelry manufacturing firm, the theater, local radio station, an insurance agency, dress shop, shoe store and a group of apartments.

1954 In February, yet another fire guts Deadwood’s remaining theater and partially destroys two more business buildings.

1955 In January, another fire wipes out two city warehouses and all of the city’s heavy street and water department equipment.

Video-based penny machines with multiple play lines at the push of a button and paper payout systems dominate the Deadwood gaming scene today. Pioneer photo by Jaci Conrad Pearson

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

25

Fall-Winter 2014-2015 Schedule of Events For more information on these and other events, visit www.Deadwood.org

Oct 3-4

Oktoberfest

Join us as we celebrate Oktoberfest, “Deadwood style”.

We’ll have live German music, Tour-d-Oktoberfest, free food, dancing, beer barrel games, and the now famous Wiener Dog Races. Join us for all the great activities.

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

Oct Wild West Songwriters Festival from more than 20 songwriters and industry insiders 9-11 Hear about how your favorite hits were created. This event entertains both music lovers and music makers. www.wildwestsongwriters.com

Oct 18 Oct 30

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

Young Dubliners

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

Nov 29

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Dec 31 Jan 30-31

Enjoy festive decorations, special events, a Cowboy Christmas Ball and special holiday concerts.

Feb 1

Feb 6-7

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

Vernon Paulson Christmas Spectacular

Historic Homestake Opera House 309 W. Main St., Lead, SD 57754 605-584-2067 • www.leadoperahouse.org

Destination Deadwood©

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

Cowboy Christmas Show

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

New Year’s Eve Party

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

ISOC Deadwood SnoCross Shootout

The greatest show on snow comes to Deadwood with the ISOC Amsoil Championship SnoCross Series. More than 150 top pros bring high-flying, high-speed, high-octane snowmobile racing to town. Extreme snowmobiling comes back to Deadwood. Watch X Games competitors pound the powder at the Days of ’76 rodeo grounds for points and prizes.

South Dakota’s Largest Tailgate Party

This Big Game Sunday event features a tailgate reception, football throwing contest, live entertainment, a chili cookoff, giveaways, and more.

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

38 Special Hairball

Herman’s Hermits

www.isocracing.com

Deadwood’s Winter Wonderland Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

Nov 14

Dec 19

Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-559-1187 • www.deadwoodmountaingrand.com

with more than 600 contestants hoping to win some of the $8,000 in cash and prizes. And don’t forget the Monster Ball.

Nov 7

Dec 13

Thunder from Down Under

Oct 31 Deadweird - Nov 1 Join us for the largest costume contest in the Black Hills,

Nov -Dec

Dec 12

March 13-14

Mardi Gras Weekend

Enjoy the largest Mardi Gras party north of the Bayou!

Complete with two days of parades, a Cajun cook-off, live music, and over 100,000 sets of beads thrown out along the parade route.

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

St. Patrick’s Weekend

Celebrate St. Patrick with this annual event that features a Pub Crawl, Irish music, the Leprechaun Olympics and a St. Patrick’s parade. You’ll hear authentic pipe and drum music and much Irish cheer.

Deadwood Chamber of Commerce 767 Main St., Deadwood, SD 57732 605-578-1876 • 1-800-999-1876 • www.deadwood.com

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Getting Around Deadwood

TROLLEY SCHEDULE

Fall & Winter Hours:

Sept. 2, 2014 - Oct. 5, 2014 Sunday to Thursday: 7 a.m. - Midnight Friday & Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Oct. 6, 2014 - May 25, 2015 Sunday: 7 a.m. - Midnight Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. - Midnight Friday & Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 a.m.

For more info contact: City of Deadwood Trolley Dept.

605-578-2622

Trolleys run at regular intervals between all hotels, motels and other key points throughout Deadwood. Cost is $1.00 per ride. Hours are subject to change. The hourly trolley schedule is posted on the back of the Main Street Trolley stop signs.

Through the Years 1959 Major Deadwood fire begins at 1:10 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Hillcrest Manor with an ignited piece of paper blowing out of a trash incinerator onto dry grass, later forcing the evacuation of the town of Deadwood. The fire, which burned 4,501 acres of private and public land, is considered “dead” 15 days later. A separate, smaller, 273 acre fire also begins at Nemo during the course of this major fire.

1960s

One of the major projects for Deadwood in this decade is the construction of a new highway through the city. The first phase, from Pine Street to Lee Street, was completed in 1965 and the second phase, from Lee to Lower Main Street, was finished in 1968, at a total cost of over $2 million.

1964

The entire city of Deadwood is designated as a National Historic Landmark and is placed on the federal and state registers of historic places.

Direct telephone dialing initiated in Lawrence County, with even long distance calls dialed without operator assistance.

1965

On May 14 a major flood ravages the communities of Deadwood and Spearfish, the worst natural disaster to threaten the town of Deadwood since the fire of 1959.

Thirty-four inches of snow, followed by seven inches of rain resulted in $4 million in damage to Deadwood.

Between $200,000 and $300,000 is spent to remodel the Federal building in Deadwood, which houses the post office. An elevator and air conditioning were installed, while several of the architectural items that were removed were purchased by local businesses and citizens of Deadwood and remain there.

1970s

Chicago and Northwestern abandons their train tracks between Deadwood and Whitewood.

Photos courtesy Deadwood Chamber

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Destination Deadwood©

27

Connecting You to the Black Hills

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Minutes from the Ski Slopes and Snowmobile, ATV & Hiking Trails

1.800.240.3735

www.deadwoodconnections.com

28

Destination Deadwood©

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Quarter Century of Deadwood Gaming Deadwood You Bet Committee Chair Melodee Nelson looks back on 25 years.

By Jaci Conrad Pearson Black Hills Pioneer

Nelson explained. “In 1982 a statewide referendum allowing for statewide gambling went down miserably, but Deadhe headed up an all-volunteer group wood and one other community voted that is often referred to as “The Magfor it overwhelmingly. Tom Blair and nificent Seven” and the legacy they’ve left Dan Schenkhein, who was the Deadin Deadwood is cause for celebration this wood Chamber director at the time, did 25th and silver anniversary of gaming. research on how Atlantic City opted out A little more than 25 years ago, Meof their state constitution. From there, he lodee Nelson, who was selected to head put together a group and Tom Blair called up the Deadwood You Bet Committee and personally asked if I would chair this by then-mayor Tom Blair, said she had group. I don’t know why, but I said yes … no idea what she was getting into or what not realizing that it was going to take three the far-ranging effects would be once the years out of our lives.” committee’s three year, all-encompassing Slowly, the other players were added efforts were complete. to the You Bet Committee. Mike Truca“What we envisioned were just a few no, with his knowledge of the vending slot machines here and there, a few at the machine industry, was a crucial addition.

Franklin … a few at Saloon No. 10. Quite Bill Walsh was the go-to guru on political honestly, if any of us could have seen what issues. Linda Blair was the office manager would happen, we would have figured out and “button lady.” Mary Dunn was then a way to buy every business the executive director of on Main Street. If I’d have the Deadwood Chamber known what would happen, of Commerce, and David “We attended every I’d be in the Bahamas, reLarson was the historic parade, every hometired by now. I had no clue a coming, the state fair, preservation representative. place like this (The Lodge at county fairs. We never Betty Whittington brought Deadwood) would be built,” went anywhere without her energy and enthusiasm Nelson said. “One thing a clipboard. That’s why to the group as the voice of we didn’t foresee was all the we won the vote, was the people. other venues that popped up Nelson said that looking because of our grassand Indian gaming. I always back, if anyone would have roots effort. We were thought Deadwood would told her how much time she out there talking to be the only place in the state would spend, she probably everyone.” to gamble. Competition is would have said no to com~ Melodee Nelson the biggest surprise.” mittee chair.

In the mid-1980s, Dead“In 1987 was when we rewood was dying. ally got started. It consumed “Deadwood was seeing the effects of our lives and I had three little kids. My the Rushmore Mall, like every other small youngest was only a year old. My children town in America,” Nelson said. were 1, 3 and 5 years old,” Nelson said.

The idea for the Deadwood You Bet In 1987 the Deadwood You Bet ComCommittee grew out of this idea and the mittee started by going to Pierre. desire for rebirth.

“Our state representatives took a bill “The idea originally came from the that came out of committee and went to Northern Hills mayors group. Tom Blair was the mayor of Deadwood at the time,” Continued on page 31

S

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Through the Years 1970s

Deep-level development of the Homestake Mine continues with two new undergound shafts sunk, now reaching the 8,000 foot level.

1971

Deadwood and Lead school districts merge into one.

1980

May 21 Deadwood’s last remaining brothel, Pam’s Purple Door is shut down by state’s attorney’s office and the feds.

1986

Deadwood You Bet Committee is formed.

1987

First attempt of Deadwood You Bet Committee to get legalized gambling on the legislative ballot unsuccessful.

Preparations are made to propose a constitutional amendment legalizing gaming in Deadwood.

The 35,000 signature petition drive begins en masse.

Deadwood’s Historic Preservation Commission established.

Dec. 15, syndicate block fire burns through Deadwood’s business district and later becomes the impetus for bringing legalized gaming to Deadwood.

1988

Constitutional amendment legalizing limited-stakes gaming in Deadwood passes through a state-wide vote in the November election.

1989

Nov. 1 marks the first day of legalized limited-stakes gaming in Deadwood.

Destination Deadwood©

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Destination Deadwood©

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

From page 29

the house floor,” Nelson explained. “Because the creation of the state lottery was an issue at that time, the house didn’t even want to talk about it. So it came out of committee and went down in the house.”

The group came back to Deadwood and decided to bypass the legislature and do a petition drive.

“When you’re changing the state constitution, that’s quite a petition drive,” Nelson said. “We had to have 10 percent of the signatures of the last registered voter list in South Dakota. That was 36,000 signatures.”

No small task.

“We were really dumb and naïve,” Nelson said. “We thought it would be a piece of cake. We started in April, May and it had to be filed by Nov. 1. It was tough. That’s all we did all summer long.

We attended every parade, every homecoming, the state fair, county fairs. We never went anywhere without a clipboard.

That’s why we won the vote, was because of our grassroots effort. We were out there talking to everyone.”

Experts told the group that even if they won every vote West River and got only half of the votes East River, they would still lose.

“You’ve got to be east river and you’ve got to be talking in order to win the votes’ was what they said,” Nelson recalled.

“And that’s what we did.”

All of 1987, the committee was consumed with obtaining signatures.

“88 was the vote, so we did the same thing,” Nelson said.

Bolstered by a mere three-year $125,000 budget from Deadwood’s bed and booze fund and a last minute loan for $50,000 which the Deadwood Gaming Association ultimately paid back to the bank, the You Bet Committee persevered.

“I never once thought, ‘This is going to fall apart,’” Nelson said. “I always thought we had it. As we were going across the state, people were falling in love with it.

We always got a good response. We never had any real competition, anyone organized to come out against us, so as long as we could stay on the road and keep it going …We filmed a really good TV ad, so I was pleased with that. That’s what we really needed the money in the loan for was TV advertising.”

Toward the end of the petition drive,

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

the committee began hiring people to help gather signatures and the community support was staunch.

“They were at the state fair and a guy got thrown in jail with all the petitions,” Nelson said. “So those committee members spent time trying to get the petitions out of jail. The Days of ’76 committee people helped us by allowing us to use the Deadwood stage and we’d dress up in period costumes to ride in the parades and make appearances.”

In 1988, as soon as the polls closed West River, East River, which is an hour earlier, came in.

“We won Sioux Falls by 64 percent and we knew it was over,” Nelson said.

The following April of 1989, in order to finalize the You Bet deal, the citizens of Deadwood had to approve the measure by 60 percent and obviously, it was successful.

“After that, the state got involved and pretty much took it over,” Nelson said.

“The governor named a gaming commission and we were pretty much out of it after that. One stipulation was that

no gaming commissioner could live in Lawrence County and that they had to be bipartisan, at least one person from the other party because they were all governor appointees. When the state took over, they hired the first executive director, Don Gromer.”

When gaming started out, the vision was to benefit historic preservation, institute a $5 bet limit and a limit of 15 gaming devices per business.

“That quickly changed,” Nelson said.

Today’s gaming establishments may have hundreds of machines and the bet limit is $1,000.

Twenty five years later, Nelson remains positive about Deadwood’s accomplishments.

“It was a lot of hard work by the committee and the townspeople too,” Nelson said. “They might not have lived it day to day like us, but we could call anybody for help. It seemed to be a real united deal. It was meant to be, I guess.”

Deadwood You Bet Chairwoman Melodee Nelson said the group never envisioned casinos as large as The Lodge at Deadwood, where she is pictured. Pioneer photo

by Jaci Conrad Pearson

Destination Deadwood©

31

Your one stop for: Cowgirl Bling & Cowboy Accessories

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Congratulations Deadwood Gaming on 25 Years & Counting!

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Doing Business With People You Know and People Who Know You.

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Destination DeadwoodŠ

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Sights & Sounds Attractions in and around Deadwood

Mt. Moriah Cemetery 2 Mt. Moriah Rd., Deadwood (605) 722-0837

The Mt. Moriah Cemetery was established in 1877-1878, because of the ever increasing demands on the Ingleside Cemetery, which was down the hill. Many buried at the old cemetery were later exhumed and rebur- Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism ied at Mt. Moriah.

Mt. Moriah has numerous sections: Chinese – only a few graves exist, since most bodies were exhumed and returned to China for religious reasons; Jewish – complete with tombstones inscribed in Hebrew; Masonic – one of the most attractive sections; Potters Fields – for early day indigents and prostitutes, most unmarked; also a Civil War Veterans section called War Memorial.

The following are some of the cemetery’s more well-known residents: James Butler Hickok, “Wild Bill” – Marshal, Army scout, gunman, and gambler.

Died 1876.

John Perrett, “Potato Creek Johnny” – Prospector reported to have found the largest gold nugget in the Black Hills. Died 1943.

Martha Canary, “Calamity Jane” – Need we say more? Died 1903.

Henry Weston Smith, “Preacher Smith” – Well-liked local Methodist minister. Died 1876.

Seth Bullock – Deadwood’s first official Sheriff, dear friend of President Teddy Roosevelt and former Rough Rider. Bullock was one of Deadwood’s most notable citizens. Died 1919 Colonel John Lawrence – Member of the Dakota Territory Legislative Council, Deputy U.S. Marshal of the Dakota Territory, and namesake of

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Lawrence County. Died 1889.

W.E. Adams – Pioneer businessman, Deadwood mayor, est. Adams House Museum. Died 1934.

Colonel John Lawrence – Governor of Dakota Territory and namesake of Lawrence County. Died 1889.

Willis H. Bonham – Editor and publisher of the Deadwood Pioneer-Times newspaper for nearly 50 years. Died 1927.

Please remember that Mt. Moriah is first and foremost a cemetery. It should be afforded the respect which any final resting place of the dead deserves. Mt. Moria Cemetery is owned by the City of Deadwood Parks, Cemetery & Rec Department

Adams Museum

54 Sherman St., Deadwood (605) 578-1714 www.deadwoodhistory.com The Adams Museum once served as a cabinet of curiosities but has evolved into the premiere Photo courtesy Deadwood History history museum in the Black Hills. Featuring a collection of artwork and artifacts reflecting the natural history and pioneer past of the northern Black Hills. The museum was founded by W.E. Adams in 1930. Step into the past and discover a rare plesiosaur, the mysterious Thoen Stone, impressive collections of paintings, guns, photographs, minerals and Native American artifacts.

Winter Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed Mondays and Winter Holidays.

Historic Adams House 22 Van Buren Ave., Deadwood (605) 578-3724 www.deadwoodhistory.com

The Adams House recounts the real tragedies and triumphs of two of the community’s founding families. Following the death of W.E. Adams in 1934, his second Photo courtesy Deadwood History wife closed the house. For a half-century, time stood still. Linens lay folded in drawers, fine china remained stacked in cupboards and cookies kept a lonely vigil in their clear glass jar. Painstainly restored and preserved by leading experts in historic preservation, the Adams House was reopened to the public in 2000, revealing a time capsule in a place where legends still live. Tour rooms and grounds of this elegant Victorian mansion and learn why it was once Deadwood’s social center.

Historic Adams House Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 31.

Closed November-March with the exception of special and group tours with advanced reservation.

Other historical research opportunities are available at the

Homestake Adams Research & Cultural Center

150 Sherman St., Deadwood 605-722-4800 www.adamsmuseumandhouse.org Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

Destination Deadwood©

33

Sights and Sounds...

Days of ‘76 Museum 18 Seventy Six Dr., Deadwood (Adjacent to the Days of ‘76 Rodeo arena.)

(605) 722-4800 www.deadwoodhistory.com

The Days of ‘76 Museum began informally, as a repository for the horse drawn wagons Photo courtesy Deadwood History and stagecoaches, carriages, clothing, memorabilia, and archives generated by the Days of ‘76 Celebration. The newly constructed 32,000-square-foot museum is home to collections of Western and American Indian artifacts, archives, photos and artwork. It houses one of the nation’s most significant collections of American Western history. The four important collections are Wagons & Vehicles, Rodeo Collection, Clothing Collection and Clowser Collection.

Closed Mondays and Winter Holidays.

Winter Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Broken Boot Gold Mine “Step into history and dig into the past.”

1200 Pioneer Way, Deadwood (605) 578-1876. www.brokenbootgoldmine.com In the spring of 1876, the call of GOLD led a flood of miners, merchants, muleskinners, and madams to sweep into Deadwood Gulch.

34

Destination Deadwood©

The intriguing story of one of America’s last great gold rushes comes to life at Deadwood’s Broken Boot Gold Mine, established in 1878.

The mine sat vacant for thirty-six years.

In 1954, a group of Deadwood businessmen wanted to repair the mine and re-open it as a tourist attraction. the mine was leased to the businessmen. During the renovations to make it safe for tours, the crews found an old worn boot (among other long-forgotten relics) in a back chamber.

Seizing the opportunity, they decided to re-christen the mine as the Broken Boot.

The Broken Boot has been giving tours to visitors ever since. In fact, the Broken Boot has operated longer and more successfully as a visitor attraction than it did as a working mine.

Open Mid May - Mid September Tours every 30 minutes - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Historic Homestake Opera House

“Lead’s Homestake Opera House being restored to former glory.”

313 W. Main St., Lead (605) 584-2067 opera@rushmore.com www.homestakeoperahouse.org Visit our Facebook page The large, beautiful, Historic Homestake Opera House and Recreation center was built in 1914 with the finest materials available at the time. The idea was conceived by Phoebe Hearst, wife of gold magnate George Hearst, and his mining superintendent, Thomas Grier, as a place of enjoyment for mine workers and their families. The construction was funded by the Homestake Gold Mine.

Vaudeville shows, international ballet, operas, boxing matches, and all kinds of performing arts were presented there.

Silent movies were shown with sound produced by the popular Wurlitzer organ, then ‘talkies’ were shown.

Musical performances are not the only event gracing the stage of the HHOH. Interest in using the facility for meetings, seminars, weddings and private engagements continues to grow.

Restoration projects that have been completed in 2010-2011 include: a beautifully restored women’s lounge; a brand new theater sound system; a renovated stamped concrete courtyard entrance and replacement and installation of new windows and doors located in the theater and the front entrance of the building.

At this time, the theater seats 350. Tours of the Historic Homestake Opera House are available daily by reservation. Please call 605-929-6427 to schedule a tour.

For more information, contact Sarah Carlson, director: PO Box 412, Lead, SD, opera@rushmore.com, 605-584-2067 (office), 605-929-6427 (cell).

George S. Mickelson Trail

11361 Nevada Gulch Rd., Lead (605) 584-3896 www.mickelsontrail.com The 109-milelong Mickelson Trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line. SD’s first rails to trails project. Enjoyed by hikers, bikers & horseback riders. 14 trailheads, over 100 converted railroad bridges, four hardrock tunnels & numerous services along the trail. Gentle slopes & easy access.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Trial of Jack McCall

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-344-8826 www.deadwoodalive.com Witness the infamous trial of Jack McCall, the man who killed Wild Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism Bill Hickok.

May 24-September 20 – Mondays-Saturdays. There will be no shows on Sundays or during the following events: (Wild Bill Days, Days of ‘76, Sturgis Rally, and Kool Deadwood Nites).

7:30 p.m. – Capture of Jack McCall, Main Street in front of Old Style Saloon #10 7:45 p.m. – Dover Brothers at the Historic Masonic Temple Theatre 8:00 p.m. – Trial held at Historic Masonic Temple Theatre, 715 Main Street.

Black Hills Mining Museum

323 W. Main St, Lead, SD 57754 (605) 584-1605 www.blackhillsminingmuseum.com Share the thrill experienced by the old time prospectors by panning your own GOLD! Walk through time with “miner” tour guides in timbered passages of a simulated underground gold mine. View historic mining artifacts and local history exhibits.

This museum includes a historic video presentation of mining in the Black Hills, a gift shop with Gold Panning Books and Supplies and much more.

Winter Hours: Museum Only Oct. - April 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Summer Hours: May-Sept. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Historic Matthews Opera House

High Plains Western Heritage Center

Back in 1906, the new Matthews Opera House was the center for entertainment in the Northern Hills, hosting touring companies and vaudevillians.

Time seems to have stood still, for today the ornate woodwork, the murals and the brightly painted advertising on the act curtain are throw-backs to the turn-of-the century.

Built by a wealthy Wyoming cattleman, the original “cost of the opera house was no less than $25,000!”

In 1906 hundreds of area residents attended the grand opening to enjoy a touring company’s production of “The Lion & the Mouse.” In 1976 and over the next few summers, “The ­Phantom of the Matthews Opera House” attracted 27,000 visitors.

The High Plains Western Heritage Center was founded to honor the old west pioneers and Native Americans of five states. This museum features western art, artifacts and memorabilia.

It houses the completely restored “original” Spearfish to Deadwood Stagecoach that was bought in 1890 and last ran in 1913.

A 200-seat theatre features many historic programs, entertainment, and special events year round. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

An admission fee is charged with special rates for families, and organized groups.

612 Main St, Spearfish, SD 57783 (605) 642-7973 www.matthewsopera.com

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I-90 Exit 14, Spearfish (605) 642-9378 www.heritagecenter.com

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25 Years of Gaming!

767 MAIN STREET, DEADWOOD, SD • 605-717-0044 36

Destination Deadwood©

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Meet the Legends Deadwood Characters

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eth Bullock is a notable Westerner, not only here in the Black Hills, but in Montana and Wyoming as well.

Before coming to Deadwood, Bullock was a member of the 1871 and 72 sessions of the Territorial Senate of Montana, during which he introduced a resolution calling upon the U.S. Congress to set aside Yellowstone as the nation’s first national park.

The Montana Legislature and Congress approved the measure and Yellowstone National Park Seth Bullock was created in 1872.

Bullock entered into partnership with Sol Star in the hardware business in Helena, Mont. and the two ventured to Deadwood in 1876 and opened a highly successful hardware store in the booming gold camp. The hardware store was remodeled and turned into the historic Bullock Hotel, with luxury accomodations for those days.

When a smallpox epidemic threatened the raw town, Bullock was elected treasurer of the Board of Health and Street Commissioners — the first unofficial government entity in Deadwood.

The murder of Wild Bill Hickok sparked a loud demand for law and order and Bullock was quickly tapped to serve as the town’s first sheriff. With the aid of tough deputies, Bullock quickly tamed the wild streets, bars and gambling halls with minimal fuss or new graves at Mt. Moriah.

More peaceful pursuits followed and Bullock was soon appointed as the first U.S. Marshal of the Dakota Territory. He found time to ranch on the Belle Fourche River and was the first in the territory to plant alfalfa. His leadership led to building a federal fish hatchery for the Black Hills, in Spearfish.

Bullock founded the town of Belle Fourche (which later became a huge livestock shipping point).

A lifelong friend of Theodore Roosevelt from the 1890s, Bullock was appointed by “Teddy” as the first Forest Supervisor of the Black Hills Forest Reserve, predecessor to today’s Black Hills National Forest.

Roosevelt invited Bullock and his wife to London to “show off the splendid looking” sheriff and Roosevelt’s “typical ideal American.”

Roosevelt’s death in 1919 shattered Bullock. Despite his own frail condition, Bullock quickly built the Roosevelt Monument on Mt. Roosevelt across the Gulch from Mt. Moriah.

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

Months later, Bullock died of cancer at the age of 70 and was buried, at his request, on the hill-side above Mt. Moriah.

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olorado” Charlie Utter is known locally as a good friend to “Wild Bill” Hickok. Indeed, Utter saw to it that his good “pard” was properly buried. A notice was posted around town, alerting citizens that funeral services would be held “at Charlie Utter’s camp on Thursday afternoon, August 3, l876, at three o’clock p.m. All are respectfully invited to attend.”

Utter even wrote Hickok’s epitaph for a grave marker.

It seemed like the least he could do, seeing as how Utter Charlie Utter brought Hickock to the Black Hills.

Utter organized a wagon train in Georgetown, Colorado, which swung through Cheyenne, Wyoming, on the way to the gold strike. That’s where Hickok joined the wagon train.

A Colorado newspaper described Utter as a “courageous little man” wearing fringed leggings and coat, and sporting gold and silver decorated revolvers.

Utter was also fastidious, insisting on a daily bath. In those days, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even annual baths were more familiar to the denizens of Deadwood, who’d gather to view Utter’s bathing with bemusement and wonder.

Utter reportedly chastised his friend Hickok for curling up, uninvited, in Utter’s blankets. Fortunately for Utter, Hickok did not take offense (he was somewhat drunk) as Utter dragged Hickok out of the tent and stripped him of the warm blanket — all the while turning the air blue with a stream of curses. Hickok merely shrugged it off and found somewhere else to finish his nap.

After Hickok’s murder, Utter reportedly turned his entrepreneurial spirit to letter and freight delivery, mining and gambling.

The Lead newspaper “Black Hills Times,” on June 24, l879 reported: “Charles Utter, nuisance, keeping a dance house. To Mr. Utter the Court delivered a very severe lecture, condemning all such practices in unmeasured terms. But in consideration that Mr. Utter had closed the place (Judge Moody) sentenced him to one hour’s confinement and a fifty dollar fine and costs.”

Utter departed Deadwood after a fire swept through and destroyed much of the town on September 26, l879. He was later rumored to be practicing medicine in Panama.

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Meet the Legends...

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alamity Jane was born Martha Jane Canary near Princeton, Missouri, in 1852. She was married a number of times — her last husband was Clinton Burke. Noted for dressing, most of the time, in men’s clothing, and for wild behavior. Calamity Jane was also known by the early miners and settlers for a kind and generous nature. She died in Terry, an upper Hills mining camp, on August 1, 1903 and is buried, as was her request, “next to Wild Bill.” No authentic record exists that she had any intimate relationship with Bill.

As many of the historical Calamity Jane legends which creep into Americana, fiction and fact make up the story of Calamity Jane Dalton Canary Burke, known in the West simply as “Calamity Jane”.

She was the lady bullwhacker whose language was so strong that brave men feared it more than her gun — which nearly always hit its mark.

Several villages – Fort Laramie, Wyo.; Burlington, Iowa.; Princeton or St. Louis, Mo. ... even LaSalle, Ill., claim to be her birthplace, but no one knows for sure.

It is generally accepted that Calamity Jane was the daughter of a soldier named Dalton or Canary and that she was born around 1852.

At age 19, Calamity Jane appeared at old Fort Bridger, frequenting the saloons, hurdy gurdy and gambling joints and scorning the ways of women.

Calamity Jane joined the Jenny Expedition into the Black Hills of the western Dakota Territory in the early 1870’s, taking the place of a homesick soldier.

She kept her identity a secret until one day she plunged into a stream for a swim and revealed, much to the surprise of her fellow pilgrims, that she was indeed a woman.

Calamity Jane was allowed to stay with the outfit — there was nothing else to do with her — but was demoted from the ranks to driving a bull team.

Calamity Jane had been a good soldier, but she was an even better bullwhacker.

Her bull whip lashed out viciously to nick any animal that was “gold-bricking,” and her curses surpassed those of the most hardened and toughest bullwhackers in a rough and tough era of the American frontier.

Calamity Jane came to Deadwood during the spring of 1876.

The Gulch region became her permanent home for the rest of her life, although she ventured elsewhere many times.

She whooped it up with the prospectors and the gamblers on nearly a nightly basis in the saloons and gambling halls of Deadwood. She always got what she wanted, a sack of groceries

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for a sick miner or a ticket home for a wayward saloon girl . . . all at the point of a gun.

Her poker winnings often went to help the down-and-outers who were always found around the camp.

Calamity Jane was said to be in love with Wild Bill Hickok.

Maybe she was, but the romance was apparently one-sided. Wild Bill never strayed and never forgot the lovely Agnes, his bride of only a few weeks whom he had left in Cheyenne before traveling to Deadwood to seek his fortune in the gold rush.

When Wild Bill was killed, Calamity Jane was said to have either captured single-handedly or, at least helped to capture his murderer, Jack McCall.

Old-timers who knew this lady wildcat often said they doubted that she had much to do with the capture of McCall. They believed if she had, and if she were carrying a torch for Wild Bill, that she would not have permitted his assassin to live long enough to stand trial.

When smallpox broke out in the Deadwood gold mine camp, Calamity Jane devoted herself to caring for the sick men. She brought most of the patients through. Many a pock-marked old man of the Black Hills in later year called her “an angel” From Deadwood, when the camp began to settle into respectability, Calamity Jane wandered around the country to places such as Leadville, Alaska, California and Montana, but she always came back to her Deadwood home.

Calamity Jane went East to play in vaudeville. It was said she couldn’t keep sober long enough and her language was too rough for the tenderfoot audiences of Eastern cities.

The cowboys of Belle Fourche, the center of the cattle camps, knew her as a howling drunkard. They reported they’d often see her staggering down the street. But there are just as many reports of her riding wild horses, nursing the sick, and cooking famously delicious meals for the cowboys.

She was married . . . every now and then . . . and kept the name of one of the first of her husbands – Burke. She also had a daughter about whom little is known.

At the turn of century she came back to Deadwood for the last time from one of her many far-flung excursions.

Every person who knew her at this period told a different story about her. She was good and kind, she took care of the less fortunate, she was drunk and disorderly, she was a renegade, but none ever said she stole or committed a serious crime.

The end came for Calamity Jane — a tired and unhappy woman, her dark beauty ravaged by hard living — in a boarding house in Terry. A combination of pneumonia and alcoholism carried her off on August 1, 1903.

Her funeral was the largest ever held in Deadwood. One writer declared at the time that “10,000 persons with not one mourner among them” attended the funeral.

She was buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery beside Wild Bill, forever close to him in death but never in life.

The legend of Calamity Jane continues to grow today as the summer breeze and winter snows roll over her quiet grave on the tree covered hilltop.

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

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side from images of the Black Hills gold rush and the Sioux Indian wars, Deadwood is famed in the public’s mind as the place where “Wild Bill” Hickok was murdered while playing poker in Saloon No. 10, holding the “Deadman’s Hand” of aces, eights and the nine of diamonds.

Civil War spy, scout, and sharpshooter, Indian fighter, frontier lawman, and showman with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, Wild Bill Hickok Hickok was part of the West’s romantic image — aided no doubt by a Harpers New Monthly Magazine article about him in those terms in 1867.

The reality was more complicated, as a variety of books and Internet resources note.

Hickok joined a flood of miners, shopkeepers, prostitutes, card players, bunco artists, and outlaws invading the raw and just-formed town of Deadwood in June of 1876.

By all accounts, his intent in coming to Deadwood was to separate prospectors and miners from their gold — not at the point of a gun, but at the poker tables with a winning hand and Wild Bill Hickok: two pistols at hand for any sore Born James Butlosers in the bunch. ler Hickok in Troy Hickok was highly motivated Grove, Illinois on — he was a newlywed with a wife May 27, 1837. to support. His bride, the former He married Mrs. Mrs. Agnes Thatcher was waiting Agnes Thatcher for Hickok back in Cheyenne. on March 5, 1876 in CheyOne of the first of the “fast enne, Wyoming. guns” of the West, Hickok could Wild Bill was shoot with a pistol in both hands. murdered in the He carried his guns butt-forward original Saloon in his belt — an awkward position No. 10 on Aufor others, but it worked well for gust 2, 1876 by him. Historians debate how good Jack McCall. he really was as a marksman, but few cared to get shot at by Hickok — calm, deliberate and unflustered when taking aim.

Hickok had a couple of habits that served him well in the rowdy bars of the West. He’d pour his drinks with his left hand, leaving his best gun hand at the ready. When gambling, Hickok wanted to sit with his back to a wall, eliminating the possibility that an enemy could simply walk up to his back and blow his head off.

Ironically, that’s exactly what happened on August 2, 1876, during a card game in the No. 10 Saloon. Hickok walked in and noticed a poker game was in progress, but the only empty seat at the table faced away from the saloon’s doorway. Hickok

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

failed to persuade others at the table to trade seats with him, then decided to take the open seat.

It proved to be a fatal mistake.

Focused on a game in which he’d already lost several hands, Hickok never saw a loafer named Jack McCall walk up within three feet, pull a .45 out of his coat and pull the trigger. The bullet blew through Hickok’s head and out his cheek, lodging in the wrist of a gambler on the other side of the table.

Hickok spilled his hand — pairs of black aces and eights — known forevermore as “Deadman’s Hand.”

Quickly apprehended, McCall said he’d killed Hickok because “Wild Bill” had killed his brother. A miners’ court figured that was an acceptable defense and let him go. The drunken McCall just couldn’t keep his mouth shut about the killing. He bragged one too many times that he’d killed Hickok and was arrested, tried in Yanktonand hung on March 1, 1877.

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otato Creek Johnny” or Johnny Perrett, was one of the Old West’s most respected and peaceable men.

Full grown, the Welshman stood an impish 4 foot, 3 inches.

He searched the West for adventure and dabbled in many pursuits before settling down to prospecting.

Potato Creek Johnny staked his claim at Deadwood’s Potato Creek. That’s where he stayed until his death in 1943.

While alive, Johnny found what “Potato Creek is believed to be the largest gold Johnny” nugget prospected in the Black Hills. The nugget weighed 7.75 ounces. He sold the nugget to W.E. Adams, and a replica is on display at Deadwood’s Adams Museum — the real nugget safely tucked away in storage.

Johnny became a local and national hero, loved for his warm personality and magical way with children. He was a favorite of all those who visited his diggings or met him on the streets of Deadwood. He wore his hair long, and peered through spectacles perched on his short nose.

After dying of old age at the age of 77 after a short illness, his body was buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, near Wild Bill and Calamity Jane.

When his funeral procession rolled past the Adams Museum, the carillon chimes tolled 77 times. “

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POKER

Buffalo Bodega Gaming Complex 658 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1162 Bullock Casino 633 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1745, 800-336-1876 Bunkhouse & Gambling Hall 68 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3476, 800-526-8277 v Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort 360 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1500 v Celebrity Casinos 629 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1909, 888-399-1886 Comfort Inn at Gulches of Fun Casino 225 Cliff St., Deadwood, 605-578-7550, 800-961-3096 v Deadwood Dick’s Saloon & Eatery, 51 Sherman, St., Deadwood, 605-578-3224, 888-882-4990 Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort 304 Cliff St./Hwy. 85 S., Deadwood, 605-578-1294, 800-695-1876 v Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino 1906 Deadwood Mountain Drive, Deadwood, 605-559-0386, 877-907-4726 Deadwood Super 8 - Lucky 8 Gaming 196 Cliff St., Deadwood, 605-578-2535 v First Gold Hotel & Gaming 270 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-9777, 800-274-1876 Gold Dust Casino 688 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2100, 800-456-0533 Hickok’s Hotel & Casino 685 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2222 v Historic Franklin Hotel Gaming 700 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3670 Holiday Inn Express 22 Lee St., Deadwood, 605-578-3330 Iron Horse Inn Casino 27 Deadwood St., Deadwood, 605-717-7530 v The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort 100 Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, 605-584-4800, 877-393-5634 Main Street Deadwood Gulch 560 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1207 McKenna’s Gold 470 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3207 v Midnight Star 677 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1555, 800-999-6482 Mineral Palace Hotel & Gaming 601 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2036, 800-847-2522 Mustang Sally’s Casino 634 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2025 Saloon #10 657 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3346, 800-952-9398 v Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex 709 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3670, 800-584-7005 v Tin Lizzie Casino 555 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1715, 800-643-4490 VFW Post 5969 Gambling 10 Pine St., Deadwood, 605-722-9914 Wooden Nickel Casino 9 Lee St., Deadwood, 605-578-1952

BLACKJACK

Try your hand at Deadwood’s card tables and slot machines.

SLOTS

Gaming

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

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v Best Western Hickok House 137 Charles St., Deadwood, 605-578-1611 Black Hills Inn & Suites 206 Mountain Shadow Lane South, Deadwood, 605-578-7791 v The Branch House at Celebrity Hotel 633 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1745 Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid Luxury Suites 57 Cherman St., Deadwood, 605-343-8126 v Cadillac Jacks an Ascend Collection Hotel 360 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1500 Cedar Wood Inn 103 Charles St., Deadwood, 605-578-2725 v Celebrity Hotel 629 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1909 Comfort Inn & Suites 225 Cluff St., Deadwood, 605-578-7550 v Deadwood Connections 800-240-3735 v Deadwood Dick’s Hotel & Suites 55 Sherman St., Deadwood, 605-578-3224 Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort 304 Cliff St., Deadwood, 605-578-1294 v Deadwood Mountain Grand-A Holiday Inn Resort 1906 Deadwood Mountain Dr., Deadwood, 605-559-0386 Deadwood Station Bunkhouse & Gaming Hall 68 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3476 v Executive Lodging of the Black Hills 11842 US Hwy 14A, Deadwood, 866-370-3555 v First Gold Hotel & Gaming 270 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-9777 Gold Country Inn 801 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2393 Hampton Inn 531 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1893 Hickok’s Hotel & Casino 685 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2222 Historic Bullock Hotel 633 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1745 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 22 Lee St., Deadwood, 605-578-3330 The Hotel at Gold Dust 25 Lee St., Deadwood, 605-559-1400 Iron Horse Inn Deadwood 27 Deadwood St., Deadwood, 605-717-7530 v The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort 100 Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, 605-584-4800 Martin & Mason Hotel 33 Deadwood St., Deadwood, 605-722-3456 Mineral Palace Hotel & Gaming 601 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2036 v Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex 709 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3670 v Spearfish Canyon Lodge 10619 Roughlock Falls Road, Lead, 605-584-3435, 877-975-6343 v Springhill Suites by Marriott 322 Main St., Deadwood, 605-559-1600 Super 8 Deadwood 196 Cliff St., Deadwood, 605-578-2535 Thunder Cove Inn 311 Cliff St., Deadwood, 605-578-3045, 800-209-7361

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

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EXERCISE ROOM

PETS ALLOWED

KITCHENETTE

HANDICAP ACC.

HOT TUB

POOL

Fun, family, business, romantic, adventure - your Deadwood experience starts here!

BREAKFAST

Lodging

GUEST LAUNDRY

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

BB Cody’s Steakhouse 681 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2222 v Best Western Hickok House Restaurant 137 Charles St., Deadwood, 605-578-1611 v Brown Rock Sports Café 360 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1500, 866-332-3966 Buffalo Bodega Saloon & Steakhouse 658 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1300 Bully’s Restaurant 649 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1745, 800-336-1876 Creekside Restaurant 304 Cliff St./Hwy. 85 S., Deadwood, 605-578-1294, 800-695-1876 Dairy Queen/Orange Julius v Deadwood Dick’s Saloon & Eatery 51 Sherman, St., Deadwood, 605-578-3224, 888-882-4990 v Deadwood Grille 100 Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, 605-571-2120, 877-393-5634 Deadwood Social Club 657 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1533 v Diamond Lil’s Bar & Grill 677 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3550, 800-999-6482 v First Gold Nugget Buffet 270 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-9777, 800-274-1876 Gem Steakhouse & Saloon 601 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2036, 800-847-2522 Gold Nugget Restaurant 801 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2393 v The Grand Grille 1906 Deadwood Mountain Drive, Deadwood, 605-559-0386, 877-907-4726 Hickok’s 685 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2222 v Jake’s Fine Dining 677 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3656, 800-999-6482 v Latchstring Inn 10619 Roughlock Falls Road, Lead, 605-584-3435, 877-975-6343 Lee Street Station Café 9 Lee St., Deadwood, 605-578-1952 v Legends Steakhouse 709 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3670, 800-584-7005 Maverick’s Steakhouse & Cocktails 688 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2100, 800-456-0533 Mustang Sally’s Sports Bar & Grill 634 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2025 v Oggie’s Sports Bar 100 Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood, 605-571-2120, 877-393-5634 The Old Gringo Bar & Restaurant 645 Main St., Deadwood, 605-717-0132 v The Ore Cart Coffee & Deli 1906 Deadwood Mountain Drive, Deadwood, 605-559-0386, 877-907-4726 Oyster Bay Restaurant 628 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-2205 Pump House at Mind Blown Studio 73 Sherman St., Deadwood, 605-571-1071 v Santana’s Sports Bar & Grill 1906 Deadwood Mountain Drive, Deadwood, 605-559-0386, 877-907-4726 v Silverado Franklin: Grand Buffet 709 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-3670, 800-584-7005 Super 8 Pizzeria 196 Cliff St, Deadwood, 605-578-3235 Taco Johns 86 Charles St., Deadwood, 605-578-3975 v Tin Lizzie Restaurant & Grill 555 Main St., Deadwood, 605-578-1715, 800-643-4490

Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014

GROUPS

FULL BAR

WINE/BEER ONLY

LUNCH

DINNER

Whether you’re in the mood for something quick or a culinary experience, Deadwood aims to satisfy!

BREAKFAST

Dining

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Celebrating 25 years of gaming. 1989-2014