MIKE MADLER ENTERTAINS HISTORY BUFFS

 Greetings History Buffs!

Our Spring 2026 Presentation was a fun success! 50 people showed up and were entertained by Mr. Mike Madler's historical presentation of "Murder In The Brothel."  

        

Mr. Madler had beautifully illustrated slides to aid in his presentation.

   

He told us the interesting, and at times comical, history of several people from the area.  Pearl Leopold, a successful Madam and Jerry "DeBum" who seemed to have many lives were two of the historical citizens he discussed.

Dave B. decided to have his own "Save Our Tail" parade early in the presentation.  It was fitting for the subject matter :)

Mr. Madler gave a clue to find the "Mystery House" in Spearfish.  We're hoping more clues will follow!

Lunch was especially delicious, and we thank Catering By Dave!

We gave away 3 of our LCHS books; Congrats to the Winners!

LCHS has several publications about local history.  

   

Thank you all for coming, and have a wonderful Summer.  Stay tuned for the announcement of our Fall Meeting.  Newsletters will be sent out with the information as always.

If you want to receive our LCHS Newsletter (twice a year,) please email:
mardavani@yahoo.com

Until next time, Keep It Historical Friends!

SPRING 2026 PRESENTATION

Greetings! It's time for our Spring Speaker.  This year Mike Madler will be our featured speaker, presenting his new program "Murder In The Brothel"

**  Please call for reservations, Donna 605-578-9770**

Date:  May 17th

Time: High Noon

Place: The HARCC building, 150 Sherman Street in Deadwood

Cost: $20 includes lunch buffet by Catering By Dave and The Program 

It is the story of two people who were killed in Black Hills brothels.   

Pearl Leopold was a madam shot in her Spearfish bagnio in 1884.   

Jerry De Bum was an unsavory vagrant gunned down outside of a Sturgis bordello. 

Mr. Madler will talk about their interesting lives and their untimely deaths. 

Be there or miss out!

This program coincides with Deadwood's unveiling of the Madam Dora DuFran statue and following parade on Friday May 22nd.  

FIND THIS MARKER!

 Find our historic "Ten Mile Stage Station" marker off Englewood Road; we made a video about it on Youtube! Search Lawrence County History 1876 to see our videos. Please like and share :)

 Then go for a cruise in the beautiful hills and find some more of our Lawrence County Historical Markers.  We made a guide book of all our markers in the hills; email us at lawrencecountyhistory1876@gmail.com to get your copy!

FIND THIS MARKER!

DR WOLFF A HOWLING SUCCESS!

 Thank you to all the members who came to Dr. Wolff's engaging presentation on Sunday, and thank you to Dr. Wolff! It was a "howling success." A good time was had by all.

Cheyenne Crossing delivered delicious vittles as usual, and 3 lucky raffle winners went home with a book of their choice.  

Stay tuned for the announcement of our Fall 2024 Member Meeting. 

Have a blessed, historic day!

 

Site of a historic tragedy draws in the curious...

The Thoen Stone

A great turnout

An engaging speaker

2024 SPRING MEETING; DR. DAVID WOLFF!

 

Come hear Dr. David Wolff speak about the Black Hills on Sunday May 26th, at Noon at the HARCC Building, 150 Sherman Street in Deadwood.  $15 gets you lunch by Cheyenne Crossing and some of Dr. Wolff's vast Black Hills knowledge! All attendees get a raffle ticket to win a LCHS book; 3 winners total.  Be there or you're missing out!

Book Release!

 

History on Video!

 

Click Here To See Video

See our Youtube short video about where Custer killed a bear North of Rochford, SD! Interesting facts, in a somewhat brief manner :)

Represent Lawrence County, view the videos on our Youtube channel; Lawrence County History 1876... then like and share them with others! Thank you for your support in keeping Lawrence County History alive.

Unveiling Event at Cheyenne Crossing

Come see the Cheyenne Crossing Stage Stop historical marker placed by LCHS, at our unveiling event on Saturday August 19th at 10:00 am.  We'll have free hot dogs and pop (while supplies last.)  The owner of the beloved Cheyenne Crossing Restaurant, Dave Brueckner, will speak about the history of the stage stop.  

We also welcome a local Fosha family member, who will say a few words about the local history. Up until 1887 Henry Fosha operated a stable and barn at the stop, supplying fresh horses for the ride into Deadwood. 

Join us...History happens in the Hills!

Cheyenne Crossing Marker

 Greetings History Buffs!

LCHS is proud to present the historical marker that we had made for the Cheyenne Crossing stage stop site, the original Ice Box Canyon Valley Station on the Deadwood-Cheyenne Stagecoach trail. You can see the marker as you enter the Cheyenne Crossing restaurant.  

Take a cruise through beautiful Spearfish Canyon and check it out!

2023 Spring Member Meeting

 Join us Sunday May 21st for our Spring Membership Meeting.  Our special guest speaker is Joyce Jefferson, historical character re-enactor with the South Dakota Humanities Council Speaker's Bureau.  She will be portraying Aunt Lou Marchbanks, one of Deadwood's first pioneers, beloved cook and entrepreneur.  We are delighted to have Joyce, and look forward to seeing our fellow history buffs there!      

 

As always, at the HARCC Building, 150 Sherman Street in Deadwood. Lunch will be delicious Cheyenne Crossing catering.  (See our next blog post to see the new Historical Marker sign at the Cheyenne Crossing restaurant and stage stop site!)

 

Announcing Mr. Tom Griffith as our next speaker!

 We are thrilled to announce that local author and historian Tom Griffith will speak at the Lawrence County Historical Society’s next meeting set for noon, Sept. 18 at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, 150 Sherman St. in Deadwood.

  Griffith, a former newspaper reporter and editor and advertising agency owner, has written or co-authored 80 books, most about the American West. In addition, his travel features and photography have been published in more than 450 newspaper and magazines from New York to New Zealand.  

  Griffith will speak about his research and writing related to western South Dakota, as well as Black Hills Myths & Legends, the title of his latest book.  

Lunch will be served by Cheyenne Crossing at High Noon! Be there or be bored and hungry :)

 

MR. TOM GRIFFITH

Author Extraordinaire, and contender for "World's Most Interesting Man"

Board Meeting and Beyond

The head stone is in the ground!

Derek grabbing the heavy stone...

It's easy peasy! (So he makes it look...)

The new head stone of Dr. William Brown of Lead, seen below

The little sign below was the original marker

Classic style in the cemetery

 Hey fellow History Lovers! We had our board meeting today: here's the update.

- The LCHS board placed the head stone for Dr. William G. Brown in the West Lead Cemetery today. (Photos attached) It was a lovely day, and many thanks to board member Derek Henderson for carrying and placing the heavy stone with reverence.  It's located in the upper North East part of the cemetery.  His new head stone sits on the hill, next to the little rusty sign that originally designated his grave.  

-Three historical projects we decided to proceed with:  

1. Mark the place where Calamity Jane died

2. Mark the Cheyenne Crossing stage stop

3.  Levi Blizzard's new head stone 

-We agreed on a new project as well: Making plaques for Historical Homes/Businesses/Persons/Cemeteries/Churches, etc.  If you want to submit for a historical plaque contact us at lawrencecountyhistory@gmail.com.

-We're in the works of getting an interesting Historian to come speak at our September Member Meeting.  Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of who and when!

That's all for now, make some History today folks!