Deadwood, South Dakota History

The rise of railroad transportation in the Black Hills began in the 1880s. This video from the SDPB archives gives the early history of the railroads.

Gary Enright of the 1881 Courthouse Museum shares with us the story of Sarah "Aunt Sally" Campbell who was born a slave but became a property owner and a successful entrepreneur during the Black Hills gold rush.

Two of South Dakota's Masonic Temples boast a rich history

An event commemorating the centennial of the Friendship Tower, which was built by Seth Bullock in honor of his friendship with Teddy Roosevelt.

Deadwood's pioneers of 1876 were remarkably successful at building a Black Hills community from the ground up. George Ayres was a key contributor.

The wife of Seth Bullock brought a degree of sophistication and a sense of civic pride to early Deadwood.

Deadwood's unofficial mascot of the 1950s gained fame and a long-lived South Dakota legacy.

A tower atop Mount Roosevelt near Deadwood memorializes the great friendship between Seth Bullock and Teddy Roosevelt.

A long-running trade show that began during the Great Depression established Deadwood as an attractive destination for business events, conferences, and meetings.

The Girl Scouts have been active in the Black Hills since 1917.