Since 1876, the site of the Silverado Gaming Establishment has played a key role in Deadwood’s storied history. Just steps from where Frank S. Bryant made the first gold strike in Deadwood Gulch, this location has been a landmark through every era of the town’s evolution.
Originally constructed in 1933 by W.E. Adams for the Hills Chevrolet Company, the building later became known as the Franklin Garage, even housing a Montgomery Ward department store.
When Deadwood legalized gaming in 1989, Silverado purchased and restored the historic structure. A carefully matched brick addition was completed in 1995, seamlessly expanding the original space. Today, Silverado Casino is the largest gaming destination on Historic Main Street, offering a spacious poker room, elevated dining, and immersive gaming floor in a setting rich with character.
The Franklin Hotel rose from ambition—and a pit-turned-swimming pool—when Harris Franklin pledged to match funds for construction in 1902. By its grand opening on June 4, 1903, the hotel stunned visitors with steam heat, telephone service in every room, private baths, and even a masseuse—all considered luxuries of the time.
Over the decades, it welcomed Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft, Buffalo Bill Cody, Babe Ruth, John Wayne, and John L. Sullivan, among many others.
Though the Great Depression forced a shift to apartments in 1929, the hotel returned to glory after Silverado’s acquisition in 2005. Following an extensive remodel, the main ballroom reopened in 2007, showcasing refinished tin ceilings, restored woodwork, fluted columns, and vintage chandeliers. Future renovations will continue upstairs, preserving the historic charm of one of Deadwood’s crown jewels.
When the Franklin Hotel first opened its doors on June 4, 1903, it was one of the grandest buildings in Deadwood. Its commanding presence was crowned by a stately parapet and flagpole rising 25 feet above the roofline—a bold architectural flourish that declared the hotel’s prominence in the heart of Deadwood’s bustling business district.
Constructed with hydraulic-pressed brick from St. Louis, locally quarried Black Hills stone, and detailed painted woodwork, the parapet symbolized both craftsmanship and prestige. In the early 1900s, a large pennant reading “THE FRANKLIN” flew proudly from the rooftop, ensuring that visitors knew exactly where to find Deadwood’s premier accommodations.
During the Great Depression, the Franklin was converted into apartments, and at some point in the late 1930s or early 1940s, the parapet quietly disappeared. For over 70 years, this defining feature remained missing.
Until now.
Thanks to a partnership with the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, the Silverado-Franklin Historic Gaming Complex has completed a remarkable restoration of the original parapet and flagpole. The new structure is a faithful replica, crafted from matching cast stone, brick, and fiberglass, and once again elevates the Franklin’s rooftop to its historic silhouette.
Come experience the transformation—where history rises once again.
Sources:
Stone, Devoted to the Quarrying and Cutting of Stone for Architectural Uses, Vol. 26 (May 1903)
The Gold Belt Cities: Deadwood & Environs, 1988
| Opening: 1903 | Franklin Hotel opens with parapet & flagpole rising 25 feet above the roofline. Built with hydraulic-pressed brick, Black Hills stone, and painted wood. |
| Early 1900s | Large pennant reading “THE FRANKLIN” flies atop the hotel. |
| 1930s–1940s | Hotel converted to apartments. Parapet quietly disappears during this era. |
| 2020s | Restoration planning begins with the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission. |
| Today | Parapet and flagpole restored using matching cast stone, brick, and fiberglass — bringing Franklin’s silhouette back to life. |
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