Turns Out That Deadwood Ain't So Dead

Turns Out That Deadwood Ain't So Dead

Turns Out That Deadwood Ain't So Dead

Deadwood, South Dakota, population 1380 according to the 2009 census.

It was not long ago that HBO carried a series called Deadwood based on this old mining town located in the southwest corner of the state. During the mid-to-late 1800's during Custer's (yep the one and the same) Gold Rush, there was as many as 3000 inhabitants.

I only watched a couple of the HBO episodes about this town. I thought that there was no way people could have possibly been as vile and crude as they were being depicted. However, after a visit to this small town and talking to the locals, I was assured that much of the series was dead on (pun intended). In fact, of all the old western towns, Deadwood had the reputation as one of the roughest and most lawless.

My wife and I stayed at the Celebrity Hotel, a small boutique hotel/casino with just 20 rooms. Our room was spacious with a separate sitting room from the bedroom and equipped with a small kitchen. It was centrally located on the main street in town and a short walk to all the restaurants and other casinos. We were recommended to the Cheyenne Social Club Restaurant which was excellent. After dinner, I had a fun evening at the small casino in our hotel where they had one of only two blackjack tables open. The dealers were friendly (as was everyone we met), they dealt decent hands and served all the wine or beer you wanted (no mixed drinks).

One of the most famous characters to have lived and died in Deadwood was Wild Bill Hickok, who was gunned down across the street from our hotel. Wild Bill and his would be girlfriend, Calamity Jane, are buried together (at her request, not his) in Mt. Moriah Cemetery that sits atop a hill overlooking the city.

The nearest airport is Rapid City, South Dakota which is about 45 minutes away and only 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore.

With two nearby ski slopes, snowmobiling, numerous casinos, good restaurants and hotels, Deadwood is one cool western town and worth doing.

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