5/7/2011 Our Visit to Deadwood, SD

It was such a nice day today that we decided to go for a ride, a chance to see something other than this FamCamp and base.

So we took off for Deadwood. On the way we saw some snow still on the hills.

We are about 50 miles from Deadwood so it wasn’t a long drive but the hour was certainly pleasant with the scenery we viewed.

Almost too soon we arrived. Deadwood,,,Where Western Legends Were Born

We drove straight to the Visitors Center which had taken over the old Railroad Station.

We just loved this old building with its wooden planked floors, large windows and beautiful woodwork.

Though the train tracks are no longer there one can almost feel the hustle and bustle that took place in this western town railroad station in years gone by.

Deadwood. The town was named this because of the dead trees found in the valley when the settlers came.

Inside the Visitors Center we found this very large hanging globe depicting scenes of what Deadwood was like.

Exterior picture of the Adams Museum. Inside are dinosaur bones found in this area and pictures and artifacts of the early settlers here.

Built in 1903, the Franklin Hotel on Main Street has had its share of famous guests throughout the years. John Wayne, Teddy Roosevelt and Kevin Costner are the most notable. The hotel is closed right now for renovation so we weren’t able to go inside. I bet if these walls could talk it would be quite the story.

We were glad we were here on this day, early in the season, because Main Street was all but empty.

What was most surprising to us is that nearly every business on this street was a casino. I guess I never gave South Dakota a thought as far as gambling was concerned but it turns out it is very much a part of the state. Of course there were a few restaurants and t-shirt shops and the ever popular jewelry store that is selling gold at 70% off, but its mostly casinos. This summer this street will be “wall to wall” people we are told.

We wanted to visit the Deadwood Elks Lodge but it wasn’t open. We saw a sign that said when the neon Elks light is lit the place is open.

Random pics from around the town.

I just love these old buildings!

A close up of Main Street.

All this walking made us pretty thirsty and since we the Elks Lodge wasn’t open we made tracks to the local VFW where Bob has a membership.

We went in and were warmly welcomed by Robin the bartender on duty. Since Bob showed his member’s card without being asked Robin gave us a free round on the house.

So did we get to see everything in Deadwood? No, we didn’t. So this is on our list of places to go back to at some point this summer. When you get home you always see places in the all the brochures you pick up when you first arrived that you missed. For instance, we didn’t see the cemetery and we didn’t know that Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane rest there until we got home. (Note to self: In future visited towns take time to look at brochures FIRST!)

Deadwood, we shall return!