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!

Doc Brown headstone is in!

 The headstone of Doc Brown has arrived! We look forward to placing it in the West Lead Cemetery (in the Masonic section) tomorrow afternoon, Monday Aug 22nd.  The LCHS board will be placing it around 3:00 pm, after our meeting.  

Doc Brown was a doctor in Lead around the turn of the century. He lived in the area that is now the open cut.  He never had a head stone (that we know of) so we had one made.  Have a stroll in the West Lead Cemetery and visit Dr. Brown on a nice autumn day! He is located near the top of the hill, so wear your walkin' shoes.

LCHS Fall Meeting A Success

 Thank you to all who attended our Fall program.  Marvin Barry was dazzling on the banjo during our delicious-as-always luncheon.  Dave Brueckner rocked the day with tasty food and lots of History on Cheyenne Crossing.  He was entertaining and informational, and he was well-received by all. A special welcome to Jason Sumners, our newest member who alerted us to the need to preserve the headstone of Levi Blizzard.  

We found out that Doctor W.G. Brown was a dentist in Lead who died in 1920.  We are replacing his dilapidated marker with a headstone in the West Lead Cemetery. We also will be replacing Calamity Jane's historical marker in the future.

Keep checking in for all our new projects!

Fall 2019 Member Meeting - Cemetery Walk

LCHS NEW BOOK FOR SALE

Written by Samuel Phillips

"By Unlawful Means"

"The Tragic Saga of the Outlaw Bill Gay"

Bill Gay lived a most eventful life that ended on the Montana gallows. He lived in the Black Hills among the Indians and later as a prospector who discovered gold in the mid 1870's.  The mining camp of Gayville was named after Bill and his brother Al.  Bill became very wealthy and married a dance hall girl who quickly got him into trouble.

On sale at the Spring Member Meeting $20

 

LCHS NEEDS A BOARD SECRETARY

If you are a fellow history lover and have a few hours a month to give, we need volunteers.  If you or someone you know are interested in a rewarding position as a Board Secretary, please contact Donna Watson at 605-580-9770 for more information.

LCHS HISTORICAL MARKER PROJECT

Historical Cheyenne Crossing - Spearfish Canyon

  

We are currently working to secure the data needed to fulfill the state requirements for a Historical Marker at the Historical Cheyenne Crossing site.  A state marker once stood at that site, but was removed when the road was widened.

A big thank you to the owner of the Cheyenne Crossing Restaurant, Dave Brueckner, who has offered a place on his property for the placing of this marker  Updates to come.

LETTERS FROM LCHS BOARD MEMBERS

Re:  McGovern Hill Issue

From Lynn Nammynga - Long serving  LCHS Board Member and former Historic Preservation Officer

Like a slow metastasizing cancer, Deadwood is gradually losing its historic character and community to big money and gambling. On December 13^th the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission voted 5 to 2 to allow a mountain viewshed to be torn away to build one 8 story and two 7 story “chalets” on the side of McGovern hill overlooking historic Deadwood. This Mountain Grand project consists of selling these virtually inaccessible time share units and renting them out during the balance of the year.

This desecration of another mountain side in Deadwood gives permission to other gambling properties that in the past have asked to tear down mountainsides behind their casinos. H.P. has largely denied these requests. I question why the Commissioners have now decided it’s somehow okay. You can bet that other casinos will jump at the opportunity, and their lawyers will now have no trouble getting it done.

 With large numbers of vacant homes, 40+ illegal airb&b’s, no grocery store, no senior center, the grade school and town losing population, Deadwood has changed greatly since I moved here 25 years ago.  What the town does has to offer residents are its history and the surrounding beauty, now under attack.  Already Deadwood’s historical designation is listed as “threatened,” a fact that does not seem to bother most of our H.P. Commissioners.  Maybe it’s time to just pull the shades and close the door on our historical town and turn it over to the big box casinos.

From Donna Watson - Long serving LCHS Board Member and current Vice President

On December 13^th the members of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission (5/2) set aside precedent and their oaths of office to allow Deadwood Mountain Grand to build three sets of time share units (“chalets”) seven and eight stories high on the steep side of McGovern Hill, which happens to look down upon a portion of historic Deadwood. In past years other gaming resorts in town have requested permission to tear down hillsides above their establishments to create greater space, but have generally been denied. As a resident of Deadwood I can only wonder what prompted these stewards of our town’s historic preservation to turn their backs on precedent and practicality to allow this debacle. I fear there’s something rotten in the “state” of Deadwood. 

Announcement about McGovern Hill

On December 12, 2018, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission voted that the Mountain Grand Chalets project covering McGovern Hill would “encroach upon, damage, or destroy any historic property included in the national register of historic places or the state register of historic places” in Deadwood.

Then, the Historic Preservation Commission voted 5/2 to approve building 3 to 4 seven-stories high condominiums across the top of McGovern Hill in Deadwood. This will have a significant adverse effect on Deadwood, since McGovern Hill is an historic focal point in the downtown area.  No historic photos show buildings on the hill

If you think this decision jeopardizes our physical history and historical views, please contact the state office:

Jay D. Vogt

State Historic Preservation Officer

900 Governors Dr.
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3458

And the Deadwood Historic Preservation Office:

Kevin Kuchenbecker

Historic Preservation Officer

108 Sherman Street

Deadwood SD 57732

Phone: 605 -578-2082