Next Stop: Deadwood

After lunch and a brew in Spearfish, we drove to Deadwood. We wanted to complete another Adventure Lab created by a Sioux Falls geocaching friend and attend another geo event hosted by the same couple who hosted an event in Keystone on Sunday night, which we attended. OFD just wanted to check out the shops and Main Street Deadwood.

I have passed this historic home many times and wondered at its history and significance to the Deadwood community. I got my chance to explore a bit this time. (Only because Hubby's phone wasn't working quite as fast as he expected, and because there happened to be a second geocache at the house.) He was busy, so I could take photos.

originally the Franklin House

"Built in 1892, the Queen Anne-style home is well-known for its oak interiors, hand-painted canvas wall coverings, stained-glass windows, thoroughly modern 19th century plumbing, electricity, telephone service, and original furnishings.

The house sat silent for more than 50 years after W.E. Adams’ death in 1934. His second wife, Mary Adams, left everything intact, from the sheet music on the piano, the books in the library and the china in the pantry to the patent medicines in the bathroom, and even cookies in a cookie jar. The home was purchased by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission in 1992 and restored as a house museum in 2000."

interesting details

details creating an interesting design

Then we drove out of town to Mount Roosevelt. I had never heard of it in all our visits to Deadwood, and there have been many over the years!

a hike of about a third of a mile

this was our destination

OFD did climb the steps inside the tower to check out the views. I know she took photos, but the smokey haze interfered with any distant views.

an interesting story behind the tower, built in the forest

Friendship Tower

"The famous Deadwood Sheriff, Seth Bullock, built the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in 1919 as a dedication to President Theodore Roosevelt, his close friend of many years. Bullock wanted to create a memorial of his friend’s life and a place where people could view wide open spaces that both Bullock and Roosevelt had become so fond of during their lives.

Bullock was Deadwood’s first sheriff, founded the town of Belle Fourche, and was a U.S. Marshal for South Dakota. He was also an early Forest Supervisor on the Black Hills National Forest, appointed to the task by President Roosevelt. Bullock would help establish Wind Cave National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, and the D.C. Booth National Fish Hatchery. President Teddy Roosevelt was known as the “Conservationist President,” because of his vision for protecting public lands, wildlife, and natural resources. Together, these two historical figures played a major role in the conservation movement of the Black Hills.

In 1919, the Society of Black Hills Pioneers provided financial support to build the Tower and in 1966, the Society donated the Tower to the United States Forest Service. In 2005, the Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Mount Roosevelt, also called the Friendship Tower, underwent stabilization in 2010 to reinforce the base and restore the monument for public use. At that time, North Zone Engineer, Dave Plummer, worked with Boxelder Job Corps students and a stone mason specializing in historical restoration to restore and repair the original rock masonry of the Tower. The restoration work on the Tower was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, the Black Hills Parks and Forest Association, and the Black Hills National Forest have all contributed to the restoration of the Tower as well."

the story of how Bullock and Teddy Roosevelt met

Farther along the trail was an overlook claiming on a clear day you could see the land that was Teddy Roosevelt's Ranch and also see three other states. Well, it wasn't a clear day because of the smoke from the west coast fires. We decided to take the word of the 'author.'  However, some other visitors did take advantage of the overlook and the sunset for some photos.

a clump birch

walking the trail

lots of haze on the horizon

OFD did enjoy the hike to Mount Roosevelt, as much for the exercise as for the photo opportunities. After three long days riding in a car, it felt good to stretch our legs. And she did find a couple of interesting things in one Main Street store. None of us left any money in the slot machines.