Deadwood, South Dakota

Deadwood is a small city on the western part of South Dakota. County seat of Lawrence County, it covers 4.5 sq mi (11.7 sq km) and has a population of just 1,300 people (2011 estimate). The city is 4,531 ft (1,381 m) above sea level. It got its name from the dead trees in its gulch.

Deadwood, South Dakota
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centre_ville_de_Deadwood_-_2008.jpg
Author: Georgio2


Settlement of Deadwood began in 1870, despite the territory having been granted to Native Americans two years before, making it technically an encroachment. As the treaty guaranteed ownership of the area to the Lakota people, the dispute is still ongoing even till this day.

The city of Deadwood came about following the expedition by Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, which announced the discovery of gold in the area, resulting in a rush of prospectors that established Custer. News of even richer deposits created the illegally established town of Deadwood, which rapidly grew to a population of around 5,000 people around 1876.

Deadwood wears a frontier-town character right to this day. In 1961 it was designated National Historic Landmark. As its economy went into decline, Deadwood applied for the legalization of gambling. This was passed in 1989, and the resulting profit enabled it to upkeep its historic district.

Visiting Deadwood

From Interstate 90, you can reach Deadwood by taking US Highway 85 (off Exit 17) and US Highway 14 (off Exit 30).

Places of Interest in Deadwood

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