Deadwood in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Hebrew Hill (Mt. Zion)
Harris Franklin, a Black Hills Pioneer, was born Harris Finkelstein in Prussia. His Deadwood interests included mining, banking and cattle ranching. His son Nathan served two terms as Deadwood's second Jewish mayor. Harris Franklin died in 1923; his eulogy noted, "He was never known to foreclose a mortgage."
In 1911, Blanche Colman, who was born in Deadwood, became the first woman from the Black Hills to be admitted to the South Dakota bar. Her father, Judge Nathan Colman, was Deadwood's life-long elected Justice of the Peace and lay Rabbi for the Jewish community for many years. The Black Hills Daily Times, on endorsing the reelection of Judge Colman wrote, "If you want an honest (man) elect Judge Colman. He is no slouch... He is a Western man."
Captions:
An early 1900s funeral at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
Harris Franklin
Judge Nathan Colman and his daughters Blanche and Theresa circa 1905.
Erected by Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 44° 22.527′ N, 103° 43.496′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker can be reached from Mt. Moriah Drive, on the right. The marker is located in Mt. Moriah Cemetery near the gravesites of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Potato Creek Johnny. 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. J.B. Hickok (within shouting distance of this marker); Martha Jane Burke (within shouting distance of this marker); James Butler Hickok (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinese Immigrants (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bird's Eye View of Deadwood Gulch (about 700 feet away); Mt. Moriah Cemetery Flag Memorial (about 700 feet away); Deadwood's Chinese Ceremonial Burner (about 700 feet away); Wild Bill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.
Regarding Hebrew Hill (Mt. Zion). Jewish Americans, such as Sol Star, arrived in Deadwood when the town was still a wild gold mining camp. Portrayed in the T.V. series, Deadwood. Star, one of the Deadwood's first mayors, along with his life-long partner Sheriff Seth Bullock, helped civilize and establish Deadwood as a settled American frontier city. The real Deadwood was wilder than the T.V. series ever portrayed.
Also see . . .
1. Deadwood, South Dakota and the Jews. (Submitted on February 2, 2010.)
2. Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation is a non-profit, volunteer organization. The purpose of the Society is to identify and recognize sites of American Jewish Historical interest. The Society sponsors and promotes programs of local and national historic interest. Cooperating with local Historical Societies, Communities, Churches and Synagogues, the Society encourages dialogue and interactive recognition of the commonality of the American Experience. (Submitted on February 1, 2010, by Jerry Klinger of Derwood, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2010, by Jerry Klinger of Derwood, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,862 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on March 12, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on July 24, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on February 1, 2010, by Jerry Klinger of Derwood, Maryland. 5. submitted on July 24, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.