Deadwood, South Dakota

Deadwood, South Dakota
Owáyasuta
Modern Deadwood viewed from Mount Moriah
Location in Lawrence County and the state of South Dakota
Coordinates: 44°23′13″N 103°43′15″W / 44.38694°N 103.72083°W / 44.38694; -103.72083
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Dakota
CountyLawrence
FoundedApril 1876
IncorporatedFebruary 22, 1881
Government
  TypeCity Commission
  MayorDavid R. Ruth Jr.
Area
  Total
4.929 sq mi (12.767 km2)
  Land4.929 sq mi (12.767 km2)
  Water0.000 sq mi (0.000 km2)
Elevation
4,715 ft (1,437 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
1,156
  Estimate 
(2023)
1,343
  Density272.0/sq mi (105.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC–7 (Mountain (MST))
  Summer (DST)UTC–6 (MDT)
ZIP Code
57732
Area code605
FIPS code46-15700
GNIS feature ID1267350
Sales tax6.2%
Websitecityofdeadwood.com
Deadwood Historic District
Architectural styleNeoclassical, Late Victorian
NRHP reference No.66000716
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966

Deadwood (Lakota: Owáyasuta; "To approve or confirm things") is a city that serves as the county seat of Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. It was named by early settlers after the dead trees found in its gulch. The city had its heyday from 1876 to 1879, after gold deposits had been discovered there, leading to the Black Hills Gold Rush. At its height, the city had a population of 25,000, attracting Old West figures such as Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there).

The entire town has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District, for its well-preserved Gold Rush-era architecture. The town has five unique history museums that are operated by Deadwood History, inc., a non-profit organization. Deadwood's proximity to Lead often prompts the two towns being collectively named "Lead-Deadwood".

The population was 1,156 at the 2020 census, and according to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 1,343.