Deadwood, the name sounds like the “old west” doesn’t it?
Thousands of people traveled by horseback and wagons to go here. Why? They wanted to find gold which was discovered in the Black Hills. And by 1784 there were 4,000 to 5,000 people living in mining camps all around the town of Deadwood.
It is also where Buffalo Bill was killed. Calamity Jane also lived here and they are buried next to one another.
Deadwood in the beginning.
Interesting garage inside a tent.
This was called Outlaws Square. Many gunfights were fought in this area.
Now the market is used for concerts and an area to play outdoor games.
The Town has a lot of stores, restaurants also horse & wagons used for sight seeing tours. They also have busses and trolleys that will take you around the town.
The Saloon 10 had a show re-enacting Buffalo Bill’s demise. Ed was picked as one of the prop people to sit at the poker table, deal the cards and argue with Buffalo Bill. Ed was sitting with his back to the wall. Buffalo Bill always sat with his back to the wall so that no one could come up behind him. That day Ed’s character was successful in not giving up his seat. Then Buffalo Bill was “shot and killed” by Jack Mc Call. Jack shot him from behind! I taped it and it will be on the U Tube link. (Funny thing is Ed doesn’t like playing poker!)
The bar and fireplace were in the front of the saloon. Next door were slot machines and another bar.
The show area was surrounded by tables where you could eat and have a drink while you waited for the show to begin.
Ed is sitting at the table with the black hat and “Buffalo Bill” is standing with the white hat.
Bill is arguing with Jack Mc Call who leaves and then Bill sits down to play cards.
“Jack Mc Call” comes back in and killed Bill.
Later in the day there was a Shoot Out in the street which was great! All the kids were invited in the middle of the street and were deputized. Then when the shoot out was over, the actors invited the kids to join them in the street to play cards.
Ed and I went to the cemetery where Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane are buried.
Twice the statue of Buffalo Bill was taken as “souvenirs”.
A fence was place around Bill’s burial site and a new bronze statue was made in 2001.
Potato Creek Johnny was a prospector from Great Britain. He discovered the largest gold nuggets in the Black Hills. He is also buried near Buffalo Bill.
We enjoyed this old western town! Tomorrow we visit the Badlands and also the Minuteman Missile site used during the Cold War.