Welcome to Deadwood,
South Dakota
Deadwood isn't just a place. It's a story. A real, lived-in American legend that started with a gold rush in 1876 and never really stopped.
Today, Historic Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark - a town where the Wild West isn't just a chapter in a history book, but something you can feel in the cobblestones, the saloons, the gaming halls, and the mountain air.
Where the Wild West Happened
Deadwood erupted into existence in 1876 when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, drawing thousands of prospectors, gamblers, and legends to a narrow gulch in what was then illegal territory. Wild Bill Hickok was shot dead here. Calamity Jane made it her home. Seth Bullock kept the peace. And the saloons never closed.
The town burned, rebuilt, and endured. In 1989, gambling was legalized and Deadwood got its second gold rush - this time drawing visitors from across the country to walk the same streets where legends were made.
The Franklin Hotel has been here for all of it.
While You're in Town
- Mt. Moriah Cemetery - The final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane
- Adams Museum - Deadwood's premier museum of Black Hills history and artifacts
- Outlaw Square - Deadwood's outdoor event venue and the heart of downtown entertainment
- Wild Bill's Grave & Memorial - Historic landmark on Main Street
- Kevin Costner's Midnight Star Casino - Celebrity-owned landmark casino on Main Street
- Broken Boot Gold Mine - Underground tour of an authentic 1870s gold mine
- Historic Main Street - Walking distance to casinos, shops, and restaurants
- Deadwood Mountain Grand - World-class entertainment and gaming, our sister property
Beyond Deadwood
Deadwood is your gateway to the Black Hills - one of America's most stunning natural and cultural landscapes. Within an hour of the Silverado Franklin, you can stand before Mount Rushmore, walk through Custer State Park's bison herds, or ride a horse into the Badlands.
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 45 minutes from Deadwood
- Crazy Horse Memorial - Under construction, ongoing - 1 hour from Deadwood
- Custer State Park - Wildlife, hiking, horseback riding, and scenic drives
- Spearfish Canyon - Dramatic limestone canyon with waterfalls and hiking
- Lead, SD - Historic mining town with the Sanford Underground Research Facility