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

The Badlands

— A Trail to Deadwood's Past —

Photographed By Connor Olson, October 6, 2021

1. The Badlands Marker - updated.

Inscription. The "badlands," the lower end of Main Street in front of you, earned its reputation through its saloons, brothels, theaters, gambling halls, and opium houses, which provided rowdy entertainment for the largely male population. Out of this district came many of the personalities and the folklore that made Deadwood famous.

"The man who ventured the remark that a fool and his money are soon parted must have had in his mind's eye some place such as [Deadwood].... The 'tenderfoot' is here brought face to face with ... the slick confidence man, the claim jumper, the land shark and the desperado."
The New York Times, August 13, 1877

Captions:
With cheap whiskey going for 50 cents an ounce, saloon owners could make more money than miners. The Bella Union, perhaps gold rush Deadwood's grandest pleasure palace, contained a casino, dance hall and saloon.
The Green Front Theater included a dance hall and brothel.
The Gem Theater provided stage shows, dancing, and curtained rooms on the side.
The bar in the Gem Theater was not as glamorous as modern media images.

Erected by Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment

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• Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 44° 22.683′ N, 103° 43.755′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Wall Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. 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. Jewish American Pioneers and Deadwood (a few steps from this marker); Historic Site Saloon Number 10 (a few steps from this marker); Early Placer Mining Operations in Deadwood (a few steps from this marker); Wall & Main Street: Commercial Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Facade Replication (within shouting distance of this marker); Deadwood 1876 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Broadway Street (about 500 feet away); The Fire of 1879 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Former - The Badlands Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, August 7, 2010

2. Former - The Badlands Marker

Photographed By William J. Toman, August 7, 2010

3. Former The Badlands Marker

Deadwood Main Street during the Sturgis Bike Rally image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, August 7, 2010

4. Deadwood Main Street during the Sturgis Bike Rally

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 5, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.