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

James Butler Hickok

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 7, 2011

1. James Butler Hickok Marker

Inscription. Alias "Wild Bill"
Born - May 27, 1837
Troy Grove, Illinois
Died - August 2, 1876
Deadwood, Dakota Territory
Victim of the
Assassin Jack McCall

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1721.

Location. 44° 22.541′ N, 103° 43.535′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. It can be reached from Mount Moriah Drive. Marker is in Mount Moriah Cemetery. 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martha Jane Burke (here, next to this marker); J.B. Hickok (a few steps from this marker); Hebrew Hill (Mt. Zion) (within

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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); Veterans Flag Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Wild Bill Hickok bust at his grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 7, 2011

2. Wild Bill Hickok bust at his grave

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 27, 2013

3. James Butler Hickok Marker

Burial plot of Hickock above marker

Burial Plot of James Butler Hickok image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 27, 2013

4. Burial Plot of James Butler Hickok

Entrance to Mt. Moriah Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 27, 2013

5. Entrance to Mt. Moriah Cemetery

<i>Tombs of "Wild Bill" and "Calamity Jane", Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, Black Hills, S.D.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by W.B. Perkins, 1911

6. Tombs of "Wild Bill" and "Calamity Jane", Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, Black Hills, S.D.

...The story of Wild Bill’s grave is almost as intriguing as that of the man himself, having been vandalized repeatedly since he was laid to rest in 1876. The original grave was located below Mount Moriah, but was relocated to the cemetery in 1879 to accommodate the town’s growth. The original, simple wooden headboard was moved as well, but it quickly fell victim to souvenir hunters that whittled away pieces of the marker. A nine-foot rock sculpture by J.B. Riordan took its place in 1891, but within ten years it too was destroyed. The Alvin Smith sculpture shown here was placed at the grave in 1903, but in spite of the fence barrier it was soon relieved of its head, arms, and gun. The remains of the statue, a Venus de Milo-like torso, is now on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood. Recently a new statue has been placed that closely resembles the earlier Riordan monument. -- Postcardroundup.com, June 24, 2014 blog entry (This was actually written concerning a different postcard, but applies as well here.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,557 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6. submitted on September 25, 2015.