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The legendary town of Deadwood near the border with
Wyoming is synonymous with the Wild West, and
the town where Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock
came to seek their fortunes during the gold mining boom. It
is one of the oldest goldmining towns around and you can still
find cowboys about town.
During the goldrush the town became massively wealthy.
Nowadays most of the large houses have been turned into casinos
and hotels. Motels may be cheaper, but at under $50 a night,
it’s worth checking into a hotel in town for the authentic
Wild West experience.
Gambling was banned in 1905, so the townsfolk made
do with betting parlours and brothels for their entertainment.
In 1989, around about the same time they closed the last whorehouse,
the town voted to bring back gambling, which is as great a
part of the Deadwood culture as the Goldrush.
The maximum stake in 1989 was $5, and was raised in 2000 to
$100, so it’s a kind of poor man's Las Vegas. But its
not the wins, it’s the history that attracts both tourists
and gamblers to Deadwood; the gambling halls are beautifully
restored 19th Century monuments of an era of cowboy fantasies.
You may not strike gold,but you’ll never leave too poor.
Deadwood is USA largest national preservation project and
throughout its colourful history has attracted celebrities,
the famous, and infamous like The Sundance Kid, General
Custer, Teddy Roosevelt and Calamity Jane. This
wild woman rode into town in 1876, bringing with her a fresh
shipment of whores from Ceyenne and a notoriety that preceded
her. In her tow was her recently wed adulterous lover, Wild
Bill Hickock, dashing, brave, and the sharpest shoot in
the west.
He was shot just 6 weeks later. The story goes that he was
in a gambling joint when a guy by the name of Jack McCauchin
came in the door. Wild Bill got up right away and drew his
gun. When he saw who it was, he said hello to Jack and put
his gun back in his holster and sat down. Jack Mc Cauchin
walked around the table took a look at each hand as he went
and he came to a stop behind Wild Bill, drew his gun and shot
him in the back of his head.
You can still have a drink and a flutter in the seat where
Wild Bill placed his last bet at the Old Style Saloon
in the heart of town.
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