Deadwood is a small town on in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The city is infamous for its history as a mining town during the days of the Gold Rush. Prospectors flocked to the area in the 1870’s hoping to make their fortunes panning and mining for gold.

The town is famous for some of the most well known outlaws of the Wild West period. Wild Bill Hicock was one of the best known. As history says, he was gunned down as he sat in the Saloon #10 with his back to the door. The hand he held when he was shot, Ace’s and Eight’s, is to this day known as the dead man’s hand. Calamity Jane was one of the most famous of the female outlaws. As legend has it, she claimed to be able to out-drink and out-spit any man around.

The town that was known for its history and culture, however, began to fall into ruin. During the 1980’s many of the shops in Deadwood were boarded up and discarded—a product of neglect and changing times.

In the 1990’s, the fate of this once famous town was changed when the State of South Dakota legalized low-stakes gambling in Deadwood. Today, this town of 1300 full-time residents and the economy of the area are thriving thanks to the tens of thousands of visitors each year that come in order to take a step back into the past. The town that was once filled with boarded up buildings is not decorated with Victorian-era facades, brick-paved streets, and replica trolleys that carry visitors around the town.

For anyone who wants to be able to experience the fun and excitement of gambling, along with the ability to vacation in first-class hotels, and learn about the history of the Gold Rush days, then visiting Deadwood is just the ticket. While the town may be small, what it offers to the visitor is anything but small.

Casinos

Midnight Star—The Midnight Star is an experience all its own. The casino, which is owned by Kevin Costner and his brother, truly pays homage to the grandeur of the Old West. The casino features dark wood railings, polished brass, and beautiful etched glass.

In addition to its beauty, the casino is a museum filled with memorabilia from many of Kevin Costner’s movies, including the suit he wore in The Untouchables and his uniform from Dances with Wolves.

Finally, you can certainly enjoy five-star meals at Jakes, which sits on the third floor of the Midnight Star. Jakes features wonderfully prepared meals and an extensive wine list for those who want the best.

Saloon #10—If you want to truly step back in time to the mining camp days of Deadwood, then Saloon #10 is the ticket. Here, you will find a décor that dates back to the days when Wild Bill Hicock was shot holding the infamous Dead Man’s Hand.

After enjoying the gaming and spirits, you can relax in the Deadwood Social Club. This restaurant is warn and inviting, and features well-prepared steaks and a great wine list. For a little desert, the restaurant has its award-winning cheesecake and butterbrickle with caramel sauce.

Silverado—this casino, like so much else in Deadwood, has a storied past. The building sits at the interaction of two creeks. It is here that the first gold discovery was made in Deadwood. Later, as the town was developing, the building that currently houses the casino was a car dealership, and later was occupied by Montgomery Ward.

Today, the casino features a large gaming area, including the largest poker room in Deadwood. In addition, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner is a grand buffet featuring soups, salads, vegetables, chicken, and prime rib.

Casino-Hotels

Mineral Palace—If you are planning on spending a few nights in this Wild West town, being pampered while you do it is not a bad thing at all. From rooms with queen size beds and in-room coffee, to their royal suites with a Jacuzzi and terry cloth robes, the Mineral Palace offers all the amenities you could want.

In addition, the casino has enough slot machines and black jack tables to keep you busy. And the restaurant, offering daily specials and evening meals, makes the Mineral Palace an oasis for the traveler and tourist alike.

Celebrity Hotel—For a Las Vegas style casino, the Celebrity Hotel Museum & Gaming is the place to stay. The Hollywood-themed complex features a hotel with reproduction antique furniture, heated towels, and beverage coolers in the rooms.

The casino is complete with all of the latest slot machines, as wells as Black Jack tables. And, when you are ready for a break from the gambling, you can tour the car museum that is in the hotel. The museum features Batmobile, James Bond’s Aston Martin, and Herbie the Love Bug. The facility also features over 70 pieces of other Hollywood Memorabilia, including props from James Bond and The Terminator.

Gold Dust—For something a little simpler, but just as fun, try the Gold Dust. Here, you can play slots, Black Jack, and Poker. In addition, the Holiday Inn Express gives visitors a comfortable place to stay after a hard day of gaming fun. The buffet at the Gold Dust provides a large buffet, as well as daily entrees.

Museums

Adams Museums—The Adams Museum was originally built in 1930 by businessman and former Deadwood Mayor W.E. Adams. The museum houses artifacts displaying the history of this infamous town. From artifacts of the area’s gold mining past, to a rich collection of art, this museum will take you back in time.

Mount Moriah Cemetery—If you want to see how far back the history and people of this town truly goes, then Mount Moriah Cemetery is certainly a place to visit. Here, you can see graves dating back to the 1800’s. In addition, Mount Moriah Cemetery is the final resting place of Wild Bill Hicock and Calamity Jane.

Broken Boot Gold Mine—If you want to get a first-hand view of the gold mining days of Deadwood, then the Broken Boot Gold Mine will give you that ability. This mine was a real working mine during the days of the Gold Rush. You will actually walk into the same passages that miners experienced as they sought their fortunes. In addition, you can try your hand at panning for gold!

Deadwood is truly a wonderful option for the gambler, historian, or vacationer. The town is small enough that you can walk down the brick-paved main street between the individual casinos. Or, you can ride the trolleys that transport tourists and locals through the town. Everywhere you look, there is history to be seen and experienced. Finally, by staying in one of the hotels in this town, you can look out your window and realize that you are living a part of the history of the United States.

Deadwood is constantly changing and evolving. A trip to this town will not be a disappointment.

External Links:

• Deadwood Visitors Information -