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

South Deadwood Mining Camp

— A Trail to Deadwood's Past —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 30, 2025

1. South Deadwood Mining Camp Marker

Inscription. "In every portion of the city the sound of hammer and saw is heard" was exclaimed by a local newspaper reporter on October 14, 1876 about the up and coming mining camp of South Deadwood. Situated in the narrow expanse of Whitewood Gulch, this mining camp encompassed the lots along Lee, Deadwood, Pine and Sherman Streets. Land speculators in July of 1876 plated South Deadwood with the intention of diverting business and revenue from Deadwood's Main Street. This venture worked as South Deadwood captured an assortment of commercial, religious and civic amenities including the first county hospital, post office, public school, First Congregational and Methodist churches and the county courthouse. In 1881 South Deadwood and the other adjacent mining camps were incorporated into the newly formed City of Deadwood.

By 1900 this area developed into the warehouse district in Deadwood. Numerous wholesale and retail businesses graced Sherman and Lee Streets including the Cudahy Packing Company (Est. 1915), John Treber Beer Depot (Est. 1892), Armour & Company Branch House (Est. 1912), Adams Brothers Company (Est. 1894), Black Hills

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Mercantile Company (Est. 1919), and the Fish & Hunter Company (Est. 1897). This district also contained two rival railroad company's passenger depots, the Burlington & Missouri and the Chicago & Northwestern.

Through Deadwood's Historic Preservation efforts, many of the commercial buildings within this area have been restored using the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. (Captions)
1879 South Deadwood mining camp along Sherman Street. photo credit: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
1899 colored print of Sherman Street, former South Deadwood mining camp photo credit: City of Deadwood Archives

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 14, 1876.

Location. 44° 22.573′ N, 103° 43.735′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. It is at the intersection of Sherman Street (U.S. 85) and Miller Street, on the right when traveling north on Sherman Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 Sherman Street, Deadwood SD 57732, United States of America.

Reverse side South Deadwood Mining Camp Marker looking across Sherman Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 30, 2025

2. Reverse side South Deadwood Mining Camp Marker looking across Sherman Street

Martin & Mason Hotel and Lee Street Station Cafe at opposite corner

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wild Bill Hickok Bust (a few steps from this marker); Wild Bill (a few steps from this marker); Black Hills Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); W. E. Adams Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Flood (within shouting distance of this marker); Sherman Street and the East Side (within shouting distance of this marker); Deadwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Weight a Minute (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.