Deadwood in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bonanza in the Hills

Photographed by Connor Olson, October 6, 2021

1. Bonanza in the Hills Marker (replacement marker)

Inscription. The placer gold in the creeks had been eroded from the surrounding hills. By late 1876, miners began shifting their attentions to the source of the gold by tunneling into the hills. Such hard rock mining used explosives instead of pans and sluices.

As mining moved from the creek bottoms to tunnels, the economic structure changed. While placer miners worked alone or in small groups, hard rock mining demanded a great initial investment and a larger work force. Corporations dominated the mining industry. Instead of working on their own, miners became wage laborers.

Captions:
Workers at an entrance to an area mine. Note the candle lantern on the mule’s neck.
The Homestake gold mine in Lead. Tailings (rock refuse) from the mine can be seen on the horizon, up Deadwood Gulch.
Miners balancing on wood cribbing in a mine.

Erected by Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 44° 22.475′ N, 103° 43.827′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. It is on Deadwood Mount Drive south of Pine Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Deadwood SD 57732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gold Discovery in the Great Sioux Reservation (here, next to this marker); Riches from Mud (here, next to this marker); Architecture of a Unique Building Complex (here, next to this marker); President Taft Comes to Deadwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Lawrence County Great World War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lest We Forget (about 300 feet away); Job Corps Project (about 300 feet away); Civic Stability (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Gold in the Gulch (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Deadwood Historical Photos 1800s. (Submitted on November 19, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional keywords. mining

Bonanza in the Hills Marker (second from right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, October 6, 2021

2. Bonanza in the Hills Marker (second from right)

Whitewood Creek, the Slime Plant in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2009

3. Whitewood Creek, the Slime Plant in the background

Former Bonanza in the Hills Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2009

4. Former Bonanza in the Hills Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.