Deadwood
State: South Dakota
County: Lawrence County
Founded: 1876
Peak Population: 12,000-25,000
Deadwood is where Wild Bill Hickok was shot playing poker, creating the legend of the 'dead man's hand' (aces and eights). Calamity Jane is buried next to him. Founded illegally on Lakota land in 1876, it nearly became a ghost town before gambling legalization in 1989 revived it.
Quick Facts
- Wild Bill's 'dead man's hand' was aces and eights
- Calamity Jane asked to be buried next to Wild Bill
- Founded illegally on Lakota treaty land
- Named for the dead trees in the gulch
Location
Address: Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota
Coordinates: 44.3767, -103.7296