Deadwood: Historic Preservation Office

09/03/2026

Small Token, Big History!!!

39LA3000-1994.06 / Cat.: 0017 Riley & Carr 10 cent aluminum token

Happy Thursday everyone! This week, City Archives finished re-inventorying and placing paper labels with the objects unearthed in the Deadwood City Hall Parking Lot. Of the 120 objects unearthed, this aluminum token caught the attention of volunteers and city officials.

Embossed on both sides of the token read, “RILEY & CARR DEADWOOD, S.D.” and “10”. After some research, city staff learned the token originated from the Green Front Theater under the ownership of P.N. Carr and Thomas Riley. The Green Front Theater had a notorious reputation as being a burlesque theater and house of prostitution.

In November of 1919, the Green Front was raised. Seventy-three years later in 1992, during the construction of the Mineral Palace Hotel, construction workers unearthed objects associated with the “girls dormitory” behind the theater.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page.

08/28/2026

39LA3000-1994.06 / Cat.: 040 Alcoholic beverage bottle, “Red Top Rye”

Happy Friday everyone! Earlier this week, city archives staff and archive volunteers discovered this bottle that was unearthed in the parking lot of Deadwood City Hall in 1994. Upon close inspection the bottle is an amber whisky flask embossed with the words “Red Top” and Ferd. Westheimer & Sons”. Beneath the Red Top lettering is an embossed spinning top.

After some research, we learned that in 1878 Ferdinand Westheimer started a wholesale liquor dealership. The business grew and he and his sons became rectifiers, or individuals that buy distilled spirits from other makers, change them by blending or flavoring, and sell the final product under a new label. At their height, Ferd. Westheimer & Sons produced eleven different bands including: Boston League, C.C. Bond, Clover Brook, Manhattan Reserve, and their most popular, Red Top Rye.

In 1902 and 1905, sales agents came to the northern Black Hills to promote their products. The Sioux Falls, SD Argus Leader ran multiple advertisements in their newspapers promoting Red Top Rye.

With the advent of Prohibition in the United States, Ferd. Westheimer & Sons closed their operations, never to reopen.
Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page.

08/26/2026

1924 “Days of ’76” Celebration “Wild Bill Money” from Collection 2026.13 Roy L. Heinen Collection

Happy Wednesday everyone! Three weeks ago, the City of Deadwood and Historic Preservation Commission received a substantial collection of photographs and ephemera from the late Roy L. Heinen estate. Included in this assemblage are these two $10.00 bills from the August 15-16, 1924, Days of ’76 celebration with a fascinating background.

While planning for what would become an annual celebration, the Days of 76’ event organizers agreed to recreate dance halls and gambling establishments for the public. Listed as “Dance Halls and Gambling Hell”, spectators over the age of 18 would have the opportunity to experience and partake in gambling activities using phony money on “old time roulette, faro and other gaming paraphernalia”.

Newspapers referred to the phony money as “Wild Bill Money” and reassured the public that it had no cash redemption other than redemption for soft drinks during the two-day celebration or as an event souvenir.

Despite good intentions, the phony money met opposition, in the way of editorial articles that appeared in the local newspapers. “… no gambling or anything else should be tolerated which violate the laws of this state or exert an immoral influence on those who see or participate.”

These items will be placed on display in the “Cabinet of Curiosities” at the Deadwood City Hall. Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

08/20/2026

CODL.1384.1 /.1a booklet and envelope, Black Hills of South Dakota: Mountain Vacation Land, created by Black Hills Transportation Company and Black Hills Chamber of Commerce

Happy Thursday everyone! Earlier this week, the City Archives received this donation consisting of a tourist publication and mailing envelope, circa 1931. Created by the Black Hills Transportation Company and Black Hills Chamber of Commerce, this 16-page booklet contains numerous black and white photographs of popular Black Hills attractions, including Deadwood and the Days of 76.

In addition to the booklet is the original mailing envelope along with the two cent stamps! Printed on the envelope is an elaborate line drawing of the Black Hills complete with mountains, trees and a person fishing in the creek.

These early promotional publications are wonderful documents in recording what was important in this region and demonstrate the importance of tourism in the Black Hills.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

08/07/2026

Deadwood Historic Preservation's Newest Exhibit, Keith L.. Shostrom US Marines Dress Uniform.

Happy Friday everyone! The Deadwood Historic Preservation Office is proud to announce its newest exhibit located at the Deadwood Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 5969 at 10 Pine Street. This exhibit showcases US Marine Corp dress uniform of longtime resident and Deadwood High School graduate, Keith Shostrom.

City Archives summer intern Daniel Schilling assisted city staff in the design, layout and installation of the exhibit. The narrative discuses Shostrom's service during the Korean War.

In April 1951, Shostrom arrived in Korea and was assigned to the 1st Motor Transport Battalion under the 1st Marine Division. He serviced motorized vehicles and drove to and from bases at Hongch’on and Chunch’on, south of the 38th parallel. He participated in the Chinese Communist Forces Spring Offensive (April 1951); the United Nations Counteroffensive (May 1951); United Nations Summer-Fall Offensive (June to November 1951); and the 2nd Korean Winter (December 1951 to March 1952). At the end of his tour, Shostrom rose to the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged on January 18, 1953.

The exhibit will be on display at Post 5969 for six months. Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

08/04/2026

PHO.2026.10.1 Untitled - Cottage Hill Deadwood (may 18, 1883 Whitewood Creek Flood aftermath) by Boyden, E.L (1876 - 1905) and Po***ck, Albert (1877 - 1892)

Happy Tuesday everyone! Last week the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission acquired this interesting stereoview capturing the aftermath of the May 18, 1883 Whitewood Flood that destroyed a substantial portion of Deadwood’s downtown core district. This image captures the Merchant’s National Bank (668 Main Street), the upper portion of Lee Street, First National Bank (666 main Street) and the Bodega Saloon (664 Main Street). Based on archaeological investigations, up to 4 feet of silt was deposited over the lower Main Street in the Chinatown vicinity!

In the foreground one can see how the creek and the surrounding buildings have been washed away.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

07/22/2026

Happy Wednesday everyone. Came across this video/article from Large Document Solutions, one of the vendors the Deadwood Historic Preservation Office has used on several occasions. Hope you enjoy the article/video!

From birth certificates to family photos, a preservation pro shares the three-step plan disaster survivors wish they'd known.

07/15/2026

ART.2002.010.01.44 and ART.2002.010.01.45 Deaton Adjustable Letter Grave markers for William H. and Grace C. Graham, Mount Moriah Cemetery

Happy Wednesday everyone! This summer the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and City of Deadwood hired Fuller Construction Company of Chadron, NE to repair several retaining walls in Mount Moriah Cemetery, including the Graham plot located in Third Additon, Section 1 Lots 73 and 74.

During the demolition and repair of the concrete retaining wall in the Graham Plot, these two temporary funeral home markers were discovered. Interesting to note – both graves have a permanent stone marker on each grave.

Upon close inspection, these cast aluminum markers are made of two pieces of metal that have been sandwiched together and held in place with two threaded screws on the backside of the plate. There are four spots to place movable aluminum type letters. Cast on the inside of the plate, reads “Deaton Adjustable Letter Grave Marker”, followed by a series of patent numbers.

After some research, we learned that Deaton Adjustable Letter Grave marker (patented by George H. Deaton) is a vintage, temporary metal headstone used by funeral homes. It features a slotted faceplate that allows you to slide in interchangeable copper, brass, or silver letters, numbers, and spacer to spell out the deceased name, birth year, and death.

Grace’s marker contains the name “Wells Funeral Home” once located at 87 Sherman Street in Deadwood, SD.

Thanks for checking out the Deadwood HP page!

07/07/2026

https://www.bhpioneer.com/local_sports/lead-and-deadwood-square-off-in-second-vintage-baseball-game/article_3797424d-4bbe-4725-8e10-b76666924fec.html

Lead and Deadwood faced off on Sunday with a vintage baseball game at Mountain Top Field. Lead took the win by a 28-7 score. Despite the high heat, both teams