Looking from East to West: Mt Rushmore in South Dakota, Deadwood & Custer’s Last Stand in Montana. I actually drove US Hwy 90.
‘Deadwood’ Visit: September 26 – October 1, 2022
An interesting and well organized ‘Tourist Trap’. Everything costs even nature hikes & visiting Cemetaries. But still compelling. Ended legalized prostitution in 1980 and started legalized gambling in 1989. Gambling tables everywhere. HBO Series was better than town. Check out Main St for yourself: https://www.deadwood.com/visitor-services/webcams/
Map on top is of Deadwood. Map just above is location of Mt Moriah Cemetary in context of town.
Cadillac Jack’s is a 24 hour casino. It provides space for several hotels & restaurants. The Doubletree is very nice, reasonable, & within walking distance of Deadwood Main Street. The only issue was parking in competition with the other businesses. Seems noone is in charge,
The next 3 views are from the Mt Moriah cemetery (see above) located East of Deadwod & overlooking town. Deadwood transtioned into a historic site as well as a fun spot from the popular HBO series. The problem is that Deadwood had 2 huge fires in 1879 & 1959. Both fires destroyed over 300 buildings. Therefore, few buildings are original.
Many of the buildings are rebuilt in the original location. The rebuilding also leaves a polished look to the town center. Some of the buildings are original but it’s a mish-mash. So it leaves a little of a theme park atmosphere exacberated by all the casino machines.
These views from the cemetary are facing the SE part of Deadwood not looking at main street. This perspective is generally businesses and some residences. This popular overlook in the cemetary provides old photos for historical context. It is a striking view in person that my photos do not capture.
This is the entrance to the Cemetary, finally. Costs $2 to get this far. Many of the old timers buried here were originally buried in another cemetary down below that was too flat & appealing to camping miners. So Deadwod leaders found this hilly location to prevent this. It’s a hell of a walk to get here.
Grave of Wild Bill Hickock: Already famous gunslinger who was only in Deadwood for a few weeks although he did meet up with old friends here. HBO series using artistic license made him the ‘face of the franchise’. Assasinated in saloon holding infamous “Deadman’s Hand” (pair of Aces & 8’s) by Jack McCall who was eventually hung by state courts. BTW that saloon was destroyed in fire. I unwittingly paid $10 to see recreated lsite.
Grave of Calamity Jane: famous female gunslinger who had an amazng life including scouting for Custer. The story goes that she was enamored with Wild Bill (who did not reciprocate) and final request was to be buried next to Wild Bill. She had a complex & significant role in the HBO series. Hope that is not a ghost streaking through picture.
Grave of Seth Bullock: prominent citizen, sheriff, marshal & successful businessman. Had main role in HBO show. Several times, He confronted Al Swearinger (no trace now) owner of the notorious Gem theater. Also had run-in with Wyatt Earp. Quite a guy. Was close friend of President Teddy Roosevelt. His grave is 750 feet away from others facing Mt Roosevelt.
The trip to South Dakota was not all history, gravesites, driving, and ghosts(did do a ghost tour). This is the 9th hole at Tomahawk Golf Club on Highway 385, that connects Deadwood & Mt Rushmore. You don’t travel to South Dakota for food. Beef Jerky is the culinary delight. I had 1 good meal, a breakfast, at the “Historic Franklin Hotel” in Deadwood.
Unknown hole between 2-8. This is taken Sept 29, 2022. Probably the last day of the golf season. Not a freindly place or nice course although views were nice.
Outlaw square across the street from “Historic Franklin Hotel” on North end of Main Street. Deadwood advertised an Octoberfest on that Friday but it never panned out. I instead won $100 playing electronic blackjack at Cadillac Jacks & spent it on dinner.
This is a sorry lot of pictures of Deadwood: a Cemetary, a Visited a replica Of Wild Bill shooring, went to a ghost seance that was total BS, Not inspired I guess.
‘Mount Rushmore’: September 28 & 29, 2022
Mount Rushmore is an inspiringl sight. Gives you goosebumps. Been waiting all my life to visit and it did not dissappoint
Drill down in Map for more or less detail.
This is the wonderfully engineered entrance to the Monument. Provides a direct vista to monument that grows as you get closer.
This is the broad view of the monument of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln
This is a lower view of our 1st President, Author of Declaration of Independence, outdoorsman President, greatest President.
Grounds had a wonderfull walking path thet weaved closer to sculptures and ended with a lecture on process. Next picture is taken on this walk.
Grounds had a wonderfull walking path that weaved closer to sculptures and ended with a lecture on process. Next picture is taken on this walk.
Another perspective of GW.
Here is a later perspective where you can just about see all of them form below. Notice the stairs for the path, It was quite a walk ending at the sculpture lab for a lecture by a current sculptor at the end.
This is a spectacular view at night I’m told. Night picture taken a week before by friend. I was uncomforable with driving options after dark, unfortunately.
This was obviously very popular. The only problem was that the driving on HWY 385 to & from Monument was challenging especially after dark
At 8PM during summer, Park provides an evening light show with presentaions. Sitting in amphitheater, one can see presenters on stage & lighted monumnet.
Close by was the equally impressive & larger but unfinished tribute to the native Indian culture. The access was setup quite differently: managed by tribes almost like a stadium parking entrance & much less imposing or grandiose. Native museum on premise. very woody.
Although named “Crazy Horse” it is a composite of different Indian Legends including Crazy Horse. I’m told that eventually it will be full body on top of a horse. Many decades of work ahead of them. Relieved that Trump did not get any ideas. All he wants is his profile at Mt Rushmore.
‘Custer’s Last Stand’ Visit: September 27, 2022
Custer’s Last Stand was solemn and absorbing. However it is not a fun experience: RIP.
This was longest drive of vacation through Wyoming & Montana using a very scenic US HWY 90: some 456 Miles.
Drill down in Map for more or less detail.
This is the Center of Gravity for the site. Beneath this monument is the remains of all enlisted US soldiers that perished on June 25, 1876. The monument is located on ‘Last Stand” Hill.’. 215 7th Calvary Soldiers died on the battlefield
This was also site of the 1st of 2 similar lectures by the US Park Ranger. I guess I could’ve taken my shadow out of the picture. My friend is a better photographer although even he did occasionally insert himself in pictures.
Looking down from top of the Last Stand hill. Henceforth, all pictures of gravestones represent locations of soldier’s death, not actual graves. Although, from reading accounts, these locations are mostly speculative, I believe.
There is a path down to the west & between the hill and Little Big Horn River (See Green in Background). Native Indians came from other side of river. There is alot of research/uncertainty still about what happend along this path. More location gravestones.
This is believed to be the last fighting sector of Custer’s command. 28 soldiers (many Irish & German) of Company E died in the Deep Ravine. completely surrounded by Lakota & Northern Cheyanne. No where to hide & being below. How’d they get here?
The less visited side of the battlefield is this Bentten/Reno siege site. Fortunately not a Last Stand. The park placed 18 markers & a trail guide explaining Soldier deployments, where Indians attacked from, to the medical & horse area. After figthing off the same attackers as Custer, the Indians left when General Gibbins relief column arrived. (Trail Guide 910: Long Road & Indian Firing Positions.)
Approx 357 Combatants of the 7th Cavalry did survive the battle. They fortified on a hill 4 miles south of the Last Stand. Many reasons got them there. Not all survived because the Indians lay siege. Several leaders lost their honor or reputation, but the battle required many valorous escapades & Medals of Honor awarded. (Trail Guide 1415: Rifle Pits for 7th Calvary)
#17 Marble Marker. Indicates the site of a grave pit from 1876.
.Here are the seemingly haphazard gravestone/landmarks on the battlefield representing body locations. The post-battle burial was not thorough or systematic for many reasons including fear of another attack. These are spread out down to the siege location, 4 miles SE.
There was a re-appraisal of the underlying battlefield dynamics at the end of the 19th & beggining of 20th century. Being that the wars were ended, and the main Indian protaganists passed on, monuments & tributes included the Native Indians. Really quite interesting statues and information
There is an approx 4 mile road runing NE/SE from the Last Stand to the Benteen/Reno siege. There was alot of activity on this trail on June 25. This non-descipt picture is of that road. Perhaps if my friend wasn’t on a tightly scheduled “Guided” tour he could’ve provided a better picture with context?
Looking up the path to the Custer Park building. Notice the stones signifying fallen soldiers.