Deadwood in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Martha Jane Burke
Alias "Calamity Jane"
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 27, 2013
1. Martha Jane Burke Marker
Princeton, Missouri
Died - August 1, 1903
Terry, South Dakota
Her Dying Request
"Bury me beside Wild Bill"
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Women. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1813.
Location. 44° 22.541′ N, 103° 43.535′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker can be reached from Mount Moriah Drive. Marker is located in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deadwood SD 57732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Butler Hickok (here, next to this marker); J.B. Hickok (here, next to this marker); Hebrew Hill (Mt. Zion) (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinese Immigrants (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bird's Eye View of Deadwood Gulch (about 500 feet away); Mt. Moriah Cemetery Flag Memorial (about 500 feet away); Deadwood's Chinese Ceremonial Burner (about 600 feet away); Wild Bill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.
this page online
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 27, 2013
2. Martha Jane Burke Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 27, 2013
3. Burial Plot of Martha Jane Burke,
aka Calamity Jane
aka Calamity Jane
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 18, 2014
4. Calamity Jane
This c. 1896 photo on printing-out paper of Calamity Jane by George W. Potter hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
“Born Martha (Jane) Cannary, Calamity Jane earned her nickname for her riotous behavior and her 'unladylike' appearance. Much of her life is shrouded in myth, but it is known that she moved frequently from one small town to another, working in a series of menial jobs. She spent several years in Deadwood, South Dakota, where she was known for her dalliances in brothels, her romantic association with Wild Bill Hickok, and her appetite for alcohol. Yet Calamity Jane also demonstrated genuine concern for the poor and the sick, offering sympathy and relief when others failed to help. At age twenty-five she gained a national profile when she was featured as a sidekick to the character of Deadwood Dick in the first of several dime novels. She died in 1903, most likely of alcoholism, and is buried next to Hickok in a Deadwood cemetery.” — National Portrait Gallery
“Born Martha (Jane) Cannary, Calamity Jane earned her nickname for her riotous behavior and her 'unladylike' appearance. Much of her life is shrouded in myth, but it is known that she moved frequently from one small town to another, working in a series of menial jobs. She spent several years in Deadwood, South Dakota, where she was known for her dalliances in brothels, her romantic association with Wild Bill Hickok, and her appetite for alcohol. Yet Calamity Jane also demonstrated genuine concern for the poor and the sick, offering sympathy and relief when others failed to help. At age twenty-five she gained a national profile when she was featured as a sidekick to the character of Deadwood Dick in the first of several dime novels. She died in 1903, most likely of alcoholism, and is buried next to Hickok in a Deadwood cemetery.” — National Portrait Gallery
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 27, 2013
5. Calamity Jane Buried Beside Wild Bill
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 27, 2013
6. Entrance to Mt. Moriah Cemetery
Photographed By J.A. Kumpf, circa 1903
7. Calamity Jane on Wild Bill's grave
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 16,905 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on November 11, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on January 20, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 7. submitted on September 25, 2015.
