What You Can Do
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11 Most Endangered
Deadwood Historic District
Year Listed: 1989, 1990
Location: , South Dakota
Current Status: Favorable
Threat: Development
Latest News
The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, in partnership with the South Dakota State Historical Society, will be hosting the 2009 Preservation Leadership Training.
The Midnight Star in Downtown Deadwood, South Dakota.
Credit: Jennifer Buddenborg
Significance
With the discovery of gold by General Custer's men less than a mile from the center of Deadwood, the population of this small South Dakota town exploded. The growing community and its architecture were diverse -- it included its own China Town and included architectural styles ranging from simple wooden buildings to elaborate 19th-century design styles. By the 20th century however, Deadwood's population had dwindled and the city was badly in need of renovation. Legalized gambling operations were suggested in an attempt to raise capital and interest in the Deadwood community, but preservationists worried that the pressure to create revenue would negatively impact the historic importance of the town.
Updates
This year, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission celebrates the 20th anniversary of its ambitious historic preservation program. The so-called Deadwood Experiment—historic preservation through legalized gambling—began in November 1989.
For the most part, a balance has been struck between casino-driven expansion and historic preservation. The city established the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission that administers an architectural design review process. A portion of gambling revenue generated in Deadwood is used to subsidize the Deadwood Fund Grant, a program that provides loans and grants to purchase, restore or develop historic properties in Deadwood and throughout South Dakota for residential, commercial or public purposes. But, despite this, gambling development continues to pressure the National Historic Landmark.
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