Deadwood: Historic Preservation Office

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Deadwood: Historic Preservation Office Welcome to the Facebook home of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Office! Deadwood's rich history wi

CODL.1398.1 Report of a Reconnaissance of the Black Hills of Dakota, made in the Summer of 1874, by William Ludlow, Unit...
11/11/2026

CODL.1398.1 Report of a Reconnaissance of the Black Hills of Dakota, made in the Summer of 1874, by William Ludlow, United States. Army Corps of Engineers

Happy Tuesday everyone! Last week, Tom Panagiotaros of Coral Springs, Florida donated this original, 1875 first edition of the Report of a Reconnaissance of the Black Hills of Dakota, made in the Summer of 1874, by William Ludlow, United States. Army Corps of Engineers.

This was the first detailed record of the 1874 Custer Expedition into the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. The book also contains reports on geology, botany, paleontology, and zoology of the Black Hills.
I would like to give a big THANK YOU to the Panagiotaros family for this generous donation!

ART.2026.23.1 Monument from Henry Weston Smith grave, Section 2 Lot 39, Mount Moriah CemeteryHappy Wednesday everyone! H...
11/04/2026

ART.2026.23.1 Monument from Henry Weston Smith grave, Section 2 Lot 39, Mount Moriah Cemetery

Happy Wednesday everyone! Here is an interesting story…In 1891 the citizens of Deadwood through a public subscription purchased a life size stature of Preacher Smith, a.k.a. Henry Weston Smith who was shot by unknown assailants on August 20, 1876 enroute to Crook City, D.T.

The original statue and sandstone base were vandalized and eventually weathered away. Sometime before 1945, this marble plaque was fastened to the sandstone base. In 1987, the remnants of the sandstone base and this marble plaque were replaced with a granite marker by the Black Hills Regional United Methodist Historical Society (BHRUMHS).

In 2003, city staff discovered the marble plaque, and it was placed in the City of Deadwood Archives. Parks Department employees built a wood case to protect this amazing artifact.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page.

2026.02.1 Advertisement Card - Lucien W. Stilwell, Wild West Curiosities; Indian Relics; Indian Photos; Minerals and Min...
10/27/2026

2026.02.1 Advertisement Card - Lucien W. Stilwell, Wild West Curiosities; Indian Relics; Indian Photos; Minerals and Mineral Novelties; Fossils, Crystals; Wild Flowers; Worlds Fair Souvenir. Dated August 5, 1893

Happy Tuesday everyone! Last week the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission acquired this 1893 Chicago World Fair advertisement card. Deadwood resident Lucien W. Stilwell operated a mail order catalog business specializing in ethnographic and natural history specimens. Examples of his specimens can be found throughout the United States and Europe.

During the 1893 World Fair, Stilwell temporarily relocated his business to the corner of 76 Washington Street and Dearborn in Chicago, Illinois. Interesting to note, Stilwell’s business is now the location of the Chicago Picasso at the civic plaza, Chicago Loop.

This 1893 Chicago World Fair advertisement card will complement the other Stilwell materials housed in the City of Deadwood Archives, as seen in this post.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

Installation of Utility Wrap #02 at Deadwood Recreational Center Happy Wednesday everyone! This afternoon, QuikSigns o...
10/21/2026

Installation of Utility Wrap #02 at Deadwood Recreational Center

Happy Wednesday everyone! This afternoon, QuikSigns of Spearfish, SD continued installing the new utility wraps at the Deadwood Recreational Center, 105 Sherman Street.

In honor of Deadwood’s 150th anniversary (or sesquicentennial), the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and Deadwood Neighborhood Council funded this project.

Images used in this project are from the City of Deadwood Archives and Adams Museum, Deadwood History, Inc. collection. Here is a sneak peek of the wrap being installed.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

PHO.2026.18.05.7 - Untitled - Klondike Casey Steam Locomotive, 1880 Train, Hill City, South City of Deadwood, South Dako...
10/20/2026

PHO.2026.18.05.7 - Untitled - Klondike Casey Steam Locomotive, 1880 Train, Hill City, South City of Deadwood, South Dakota

Happy Tuesday everyone! Sean Lyons of Yankton, South Dakota donates 30 black and white photographs of early trains in the Black Hills. This image caught staff’s attention.

In 1956, the Black Hills Central Railroad based out of Hill City, South Dakota purchased the Klondike Casey, #69 steam locomotive for $1,500. This 125-ton engine was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Company in 1908 and was used on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad for the British owned Pacific and Arctic Railway and Navigation, Ltd.

Upon its arrival to the Black Hills for the tourist industry, the train was refitted to run on 36-inch track and once ran from Hill City to Oblivion, South Dakota.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

10/20/2026

ATTENTION !!!!

The City of Deadwood is accepting applications for the recent Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission vacancy. (Term to expire May 31, 2027.)

Applications must be returned by the end of this month.

Happy Monday Everyone!THE GOLD MEDALLION HAS BEEN FOUND!!!Congratulations to Lisa Baker who found the medallion! Lisa ha...
10/19/2026

Happy Monday Everyone!

THE GOLD MEDALLION HAS BEEN FOUND!!!

Congratulations to Lisa Baker who found the medallion! Lisa has searched many of the Arts Center treasure hunts and this is the first time she has found the medallion!

She will receive a beautiful framed photo of the Lead Deadwood baseball teams celebrating the 150th anniversaries of the establishment of Lead and Deadwood and the last two patches created for the uniforms! Good job Lisa!

Happy Friday Everyone!!! Here is Clue #05 for the Lead-Deadwood Arts Council / Deadwood Historic Preservation Commissio...
10/16/2026

Happy Friday Everyone!!! Here is Clue #05 for the Lead-Deadwood Arts Council / Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission Treasure Hunt!

The luck person who finds the gold medallion will win the framed 150th Anniversary baseball photograph and commemorative patches! Good Luck!!!

Remember to mark your calendar for Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 1pm at Ferguson Football Field in Deadwood - vintage base ball game between Lead and Deadwood.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!! Here is Clue #04 for the Lead-Deadwood Arts Council / Deadwood Historic Preservation Commissi...
10/13/2026

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!! Here is Clue #04 for the Lead-Deadwood Arts Council / Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission Treasure Hunt!

The luck person who finds the gold medallion will win the framed 150th Anniversary baseball photograph and commemorative patches! Good Luck!!!

Remember to mark your calendar for Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 1pm at Ferguson Football Field in Deadwood - vintage base ball game between Lead and Deadwood. See less

PHO.2026.23.01.1 Untitled - Major Surface Plants of Homestake Mining Company, Lead, South City of Deadwood, South Dakota...
10/13/2026

PHO.2026.23.01.1 Untitled - Major Surface Plants of Homestake Mining Company, Lead, South City of Deadwood, South Dakota

Happy Tuesday everyone! Last year, Deadwood residents David and Kerry Ruth Jr. donated this amazing black and white print of the Homestake Mining Company’s South Mill complex, once located in Lead, South Dakota (today’s Gold Run Park). On close inspection, the image captures: Yates Engine Room; Yates Shaft; Pattern Shop; Foundry; Machine shops; Warehouse; South Mill; Refinery; Cyanide No. 3; Cyanide No. 1; and thickener tanks.

After the closing in of the Homestake Mine in 2003, many of these buildings were demolished. Today, Gold Run Park commemorates the 127 years the mine operated.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

Address

108 Sherman Street
Deadwood, SD
57732

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(605) 578-2082

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