Main Street - Deadwood, South Dakota, 1877 vs 2023
Main Street - Deadwood, South Dakota, 1877 vs 2023. I love old gold rush towns. Just went to Golden, Colorado and it had a similar vibe. 3 quick fun facts on Deadwood: 1. A military expedition led by General George A. Custer discovered gold in the area in 1874. The news of the gold strike spread quickly, attracting thousands of prospectors to the region. (Population peak looks like it was around 25,000) 2. The name “Deadwood” came from a small settlement known as "Deadwood Gulch" that sprang up around the gold mines. The nickname is believed to have originated from the dead trees found in the gulch. 3. The town quickly gained a reputation for lawlessness, the rapid growth of the area led to it lacking any effective government. Crime, violence, and gambling were prevalent, attracting notorious figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Al Swearengen. On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill, the legendary gunslinger and lawman, was shot dead while playing poker at a Saloon,...