Named for the fallen trees that clogged Deadwood Gulch, and the lead [leed] of gold ore discovered in 1875, these twin Black Hills towns have seen a thousand dramas unfold and millions of dollars in gold mined in their midst

Deadwood was platted in 1876, incorporated in 1881; a thriving tent city spawned by the gold rush of 1876, served by stagecoach from 5 major trails. After a major fire in 1879 wiped out the tent town, the transition from mining camp to city began. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad arrived in 1891 and produced culture, refinement, and a general tone of Victorian gentility. But, the new influence had to mix with the raucous, noisy, and bawdry Frontier spirit that had begun the adventures there. Quite a combination! Even today, Deadwood flaunts her happily combined heritage of gold camp and Victorian commercial center, as does Lead.

Deadwood became the center of Black Hills trade and mining, as well as the fun and sin city of the Hills. Deadwood's early business community was bustling, optimistic, grandiose, and fed by the gold of the mines. Saloons, dancehalls, rooming houses, restaurants, prestigious hotels, and theatre were plentiful. In 1903, the grandest hotel, The Franklin, was built and still serves with grand style today. Many famous names enjoyed it all. Today, more businesses in Deadwood and Lead date to the gold rush and golden era, than do mines. The abundance of mines has played out to a few left today, the largest of which, the Homestake, discovered in 1876, is still one of the world's largest producing gold mines

Chinese people were brought in as cheap labor for the mines, and at one point, Deadwood had the largest "Chinatown" for it's size in the country. The Chinese had quite an effect on Deadwood history, and their section of Mt. Moriah cemetary is still there today. Mt. Moriah cemetary, now a popular tourist attraction, stands on a hill overlooking Deadwood; silently holding the memories of a valiant people. There are sections devoted to famous names such as, Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, and Preacher Smith, a Jewish section, and a children's section, among others. If you allow yourself a moment to be still, you can almost see and hear the funeral procession coming up the hill to bury their children in the smallpox epidemic of 1879, and the diphtheria epidemics of the 1890's. You can feel the pain of these people, who had a spark in them like none other, as they sorrowfully set out to re-build a line of descendants, just as they had set out to re-build their town after floods, fires, and tornados.

By the 1920's the mines were closing, and saloon keepers and gamblers departed. By the 1930's, commerce had settled in Rapid City which was more centrally located for shipping goods in, and distributing them. Deadwood's infamous houses of prostitution, felt by many to be "Deadwood's black eye", flourished until the 1960's, and were closed in the 1970's by legislative law. Gambling that had once flourished as entertainment for the miners, was re-introduced in 1989, by legislative proclamation. Proceeds from gaming are designated for historic preservation, and Deadwood today has more restored buildings than other towns on the national historic registry. Restoration goes on in both towns today.

Tourists can enjoy history to it's fullest, gaming, fine dining, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, skiing, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth!

For lodging, accommodations, and more information visit: www.deadwood.org. .