Quick Links

Deadwood Events

Deadwood 2008 events

Great Quilt Escape at Homestake Opera House ..................... Sept. 7-Oct. 15

Family Fun Fun on the Mickelson Trail ............................................. Sept. 9

Deadwood Jam .......................................................................... Sept. 12-13

Mickelson Trail Trek .................................................................. Sept. 19-21

Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out .................................................... Sept. 26-28

Oktoberfest 2008 ............................................................................... Oct. 3-4

More to do

 Tatanka — Story of the Bison showcases a scenic mountain-top setting with the third-largest bronze sculpture in the world. Commissioned by actor Kevin Costner, who filmed his award-winning “Dances With Wolves” in South Dakota, the bronze features three American Indians on horses driving 14 larger-than-life bison over a cliff. Tatanka also includes an interpretive visitor center dedicated to the story of the North American bison and a living-history Lakota village that depicts Lakota life in the 1840s. Open April to October. Admission is charged.

Web site: www.storyofthebison.com.

 Days of ’76 Museum — If you enjoy museum-style memorabilia, you will find a fair share of it in Deadwood. The Days of ’76 Museum near the rodeo grounds features more than 60 authentic horse-drawn carriages including an original Deadwood stagecoach. Web site: www.daysof76.com

 Midnight Star — Owned by actor Kevin Costner, the Midnight Star features more than just slot machines. Photos, costumes and props from nearly every one of Costner’s movies adorn the walls.

 Saloon No. 10 — This bar calls itself a museum during daylight hours with its displays of antiques and oddities, such as a two-headed calf.

A full deck

Here’s just a few of the main events that make Deadwood the entertainment mecca it is:

Deadwood Jam — Sept. 14-15

Hickok lore returns to Hills

Deadwood obtains Wild Bill Hickok’s gun, pictures and letters.

After Wild Bill Hickok was murdered 130 years ago, his belongings were sold and scattered throughout the Black Hills and the United States.

Lee Pollock of Princeton, Ill., spent the past quarter-century gathering some of that memorabilia for a one-of-a-kind collection and display. Pollock put that collection up for auction, and Deadwood jumped at the chance to be the highest bidder.

Deadwood’s historic preservation officer Kevin Kuchenbecker went to the auction in Anaheim, Calif., and his successful bid was $200,000 — less than he anticipated.

The full collection arrived at Deadwood City Hall in September 2006. Some of the material is on display at Adams Museum.

In addition, various portions of the collection will be unveiled in a variety of venues over the summer. The first exhibit, titled “The Making of the Myth: James Butler Hickok,” was unveiled April 27 at the Visitors Center. During Wild Bill Days, June 15-17, another section titled “Myth and Reality of the Hanging of Jack McCall” will open at the Adams Museum.

Other displays include “Oliver Hickok and the California Gold Rush of 1849” (July  4, Lead visitor center), “Hickok Brothers as Wagonmasters” (July 24, Days of ‘76 Museum), and “Death of an American Legend” (Aug. 2, Mount Moriah Visitors Center.