Deadwood city is a National Historic Landmark in South Dakota and is Lawrence County's administrative hub. The city inspired the famous moniker the Wild West because since 1876 when it was founded, it was a den for gambling, lawlessness, saloon girls, and plenty of gun slinging. Much of its seedy notoriety was attributed to the 1874 discovery of gold in the southern Black Hills gulch, which set off one of the great gold rushes in America. Today while Deadwood is tranquil, there are ten historical landmarks that help visitors and residents reminisce about the city's wild and colorful past.

10 Black Hills Mining Museum

Located in the City of Lead about 4 miles away from Deadwood, Black Hills Mining Museum preserves the rich mining heritage of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

This museum has artifacts and displays that illustrate miners' lives, Lead's ethnic history, and gold mining. Museum tours offered to visitors include learning to pan for gold at a panning tank for $13, and underground tours of a recreated gold mine that costs $12 for adults.

9 Broken Boot Goldmine

Established in 1878, the Broken Boot Gold Mine offers the best underground tour in Black Hills.

Guides there help the visitors to understand the old-fashioned way gold was mined back then using candles to light the tunnels. During these gold tunnel excursions, visitors are given a chance to pan for gold, as it was done over 100 years ago.

  • At the end of these tours, visitors take home the "gold loot" souvenir they strike here. Tours to the Broken Boot Goldmine run between 8 am to 6 pm and cost $6 for students and $8 for adults but are free for children under 5 years.
  • A gold panning lesson and a candlelight ghost tour each cost $10. Management advises visitors to book the Broken Boot Goldmine tours online.

RELATED: What You Need To Know About Touring America's Only Vertical Shaft Gold Mine (And Gold Mining)

8 Tatanka Story Of Bison

Established by actor Kevin Costner, Tatanka Story Of Bison is a small museum on 100 Tatanka Drive Deadwood, that educates people about the history of the American bison. While some still roam in the United States, the population has dropped significantly.

Outside the museum is the third-largest bronze sculpture in the world made of 17 pieces, and depicts 14 bison being chased by three Lakota riders without saddles. This was how bison were hunted then, and the museum illustrates the culture of the local natives.

  • At the museum, there is a gift shop with Lakota-made artifacts and jewelry plus locally-made South Dakota wines.
  • In summer the museum opens from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 4 pm, during winter, Wednesday to Saturday. The last person during summer is admitted at 4:30 pm and 3:30 pm in winter.
  • The admission fee is $6 for children and $12 for adults.

7 Wonderland Cave

6

The Wonderland Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota is Midwest's largest cavern, believed to have been formed 60 million years ago on an inland sea. Inside it are magnificent and ornamental formations, that include crystals, stalagmites, stalactites, box work and helictites.

The Wonderland cave was first explored in 1929 and to date continues attracting visitors that include families, sole travelers, friends, or anyone thrilled with exploring the underground world.

Visitors are advised to wear rubber sole shoes and a light jacket since the cave has 47 degrees temperature.

RELATED: The 10 Most Magical Caverns Hidden In The United States

5 Buffalo Bodega Complex

Originally called The Buffalo Bar, the Buffalo Bodega Complex is among the oldest of Deadwood's establishments, and has been at this location since its opening in June 1877. Mike Russell its founder arrived at Deadwood on March 6, 1977, and named it after his friend and hunting partner Buffalo Bill Cody.

At that time there were about 17 establishments, but the Buffalo Bodega is among the few remaining today.

During its existence, the Buffalo Bodega Complex has housed brass lights, a full-sized buffalo, crystal glassware, and even call girls as a testament to Deadwood's seedy and naughty past.

Today it has a casino, steakhouse and live performance events like karaoke are hosted here.

4 The Days Of '76 Museum

Originally, The Days of '76 museum was started as a repository for horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, carriages, clothing, and memorabilia gathered from The Days of 76 festival.

The festival began in 1924 and honored Deadwood City's pioneers like miners, madams, mule drivers, and prospectors who descended into Black Hills in 1876 and settled in Dakota's gold-filled gulches.

Today The Days of '76, is an annual event, with a historic parade, that incorporates an award-winning rodeo. The state-of-the-art museum has sounds that mimic the sounds of carriages, wagons, and stagecoaches of that era.

3 Mount Moriah Cemetery

Established in 1878, Mount Moriah Cemetery overlooks the Deadwood Gulch, and is the final resting place of the famous and infamous Wild West "legends."

Those who contributed to Deadwood's economic growth are buried next to murderers, madams, and other interesting Wild West characters.

Seth Bullock, Solomon 'Sol' Star soldier showman Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are all buried here.

RELATED: 10 Cemeteries Around The World That Are More Beautiful Than Creepy

2 Mount Roosevelt Memorial

Mount Roosevelt Memorial also called the Friendship Tower, was built from March to July 1919 by Seth Bullock, as a dedication to President Theodore Roosevelt his close friend.

He also built the memorial as a marker of where people could have the best views of the picturesque, Black Hills landscape.

  • Mount Roosevelt Memorial is 31 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter and is 2.5 miles from downtown Deadwood City.

1 Historic Adams House

Affluent Deadwood City pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin built the Historic Adams House in 1892, which the local press dubbed the "grandest house west of the Mississippi."

Elegantly built in Queen Anne's architectural style, it symbolized the era of wealth and prestige dawning on the rugged Deadwood, due to gold mining.

The Adams House was where influential Deadwood business leaders gathered for dinner and to discuss current affairs.