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

Seth Bullock

Deadwood Pioneer

— HistoryLink — A trail to Deadwood’s Past —

Seth Bullock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 19, 2026

1. Seth Bullock Marker

Inscription.
Lawman, man rancher, Captain in the US Army, and presidential confidant — Deadwood resident Seth Bullock was the man of his times. Arriving in Deadwood Gulch at age 29, Bullock witnessed and contributed to the development of Deadwood and the Black Hills. His accomplishments, while living in Deadwood, would mirror the of western legends

Bullock and his partner, Sol Star, arrived in Deadwood Gulch on August 3, 1876 and purchased a corner lot at the junction of Wall and Main Street. They successfully ran an auction company and hardware store from this location. In 1877, Dakota Territorial Governor John L. Pennington appointed Bullock as sheriff of Lawrence County, a position he held for one year. Bullock's business ventures later diversified into livestock along the Redwater River, helping in the settlement that became Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

At age 52 Bullock relisted and served during the Spanish-American War in the capacity of Captain in the US Army. This title would remain with him for the remainder of his life. His military service also helped solidify a friendship with future US President Theodore Roosevelt. While Roosevelt was in office, Bullock was appointed the Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills Forest Reserve and later the US Marshal of South Dakota.

Upon the death of Theodore Roosevelt in January 1910, Bollock petitioned the US Forest Service to rename Sheep Mountain to Mt. Theodore Roosevelt and the Society of Black Hills Pioneers to erect a stone tower in honor of the president

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and beloved friend. On July 4, 1919 in front of a crowd of spectators, Seth Bullock, US Colonel Leonard Wood, South Dakota Congressman Eben B. Martin, and South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck dedicated the Rosevelt Tower and mountain. Two months later, Bullock died at his family home in Deadwood.

Edward Hlavka is a sculptor whose work has long been rooted in American culture and storytelling. From large-scale public monuments in Washington, DC. to expressive figurative installations arose the American West, his work is grounded in both craftsmanship and narrative depth.

Hlavka began sculpting at age ten, drawn early to the emotional power of the human figure. Over the years, he developed that passion into a body of work that blends classical form with personal storytelling-whether sculpting statesman, whether sculpting a statesman, a Western figure, or a symbol of cultural identity.

Funding for this statue was in part through the generous contributions from the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Deadwood Mountain Grand, Faron & Sheila McFarland, Main Street Initiative/Deadwood Chamber, Father Michael Johnson, Madame Peacock’s, Woody’s Wild West Photography, and Jim and Rhonda Van Den Eykel.

Erected by HistoryLink.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 44° 22.669′ N, 103° 43.75′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 19, 2026

2. Seth Bullock Marker

It is at the intersection of Main Street and Wall St., on the left when traveling west on Main Street. It is in front of the historic Bullock Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 633 Main St, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wall & Main Street: Commercial Center (a few steps from this marker); Jewish American Pioneers and Deadwood (a few steps from this marker); The Badlands (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Placer Mining Operations in Deadwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Saloon Number 10 (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Facade Replication (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fire of 1879 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deadwood 1876 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Deadwood City 1876 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This interpretive panel is illustrated with three photographs. Clockwise from the top

Seth Bullock Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 19, 2026

3. Seth Bullock Statue and Marker

Life-sized bronze by Utah artist Edward Hlavka was installed and dedicated on September 23, 2025.

they are captioned as follows:

July 4, 1919 Mt. Roosevelt and tower dedication. Seth Bullock posing beside the Mt. Theodore Roosevelt Tower.
Left to right: unidentified man, Sol Star and Seth Bullock at the Redwater River near Belle Fourche, South Dakota, circa 1895.
Edward Hlavka working on the Seth Bullock statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.