Thanks to our Old West history and attractions, South Dakota has become a popular spot for those wanting to experience these bygone days, as well as the perfect location for several TV shows and movies, including Dances with Wolves, How the West Was Won, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. In addition to making a great film set, South Dakota makes an excellent setting for Western-themed shows, including HBO’s iconic Deadwood.
Aired from 2004 to 2006, "Deadwood" was set in the 1870s in Deadwood and told the story of the town's humble beginnings in the Dakota Territory through its establishment as a town.
Like all great shows and movies, "Deadwood" portrayed many famous South Dakotans (a la Seth Bullock, Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane, pictured), but also wrote in several fictionalized characters and plots, leaving it difficult for some to decipher which parts of the show showcased actual history.
Much like in the show, the real Deadwood boasts a fascinating past. It began in 1875 when a prospector discovered gold in the area, which brought in thousands of miners looking to strike it rich in the Black Hills.
Named for the dead trees that lined the canyon walls, Deadwood was soon the poster child for what is now considered the Old West, as its downtown was filled with saloons, brothels, and gambling halls, and frequently experienced shootouts, bank robberies, and drunks passed out in the streets.
While the present-day Deadwood is nothing like it once was, the town of nearly 1,300 still pays homage to its rough-and-tumble past, thanks to staged shootouts in the street, museums, and historical landmarks.
In addition to their historical nods, Deadwood also offers several other exciting things to see and do, including state-of-the-art casinos, world-class restaurants, shopping, spas, and more.
To discover even more things to see and do around Deadwood - or to learn even more about the history of this famous town - please visit the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce’s website.
