THE BULLOCK HOTEL
(1894-96) - Sol Star and Seth Bullock arrived in Deadwood in 1876 and built a
hardware store on this site.
Sol Star and Seth Bullock built this hardware store at the site of the present day Bullock Hotel. The fire of 1879 destroyed the wood structure so Bullock turned to stone and brick to build the Hotel.
PHOTO COUTESY ADAMS MUSEUM, DEADWOOD
They constructed a new brick warehouse on the back of the lot in 1880, with a two-story, wood-frame store facing Main Street. The fire of 1894 swept down the other side of Main Street, but flames crossed to the hardware store and destroyed it as well, leaving the brick warehouse. Bullock, recognizing the city's need for a legitimate hotel, built the present structure. The pink and white sandstone was quarried in nearby Boulder Canyon. It was transported first to Sturgis, where it was tooled, and then loaded back on the train for the trip to Deadwood. The grand opening was held in April, 1896.
The Bullock Hotel c.1896.
PHOTO COURTESY ADAMS MUSEUM, DEADWOOD
Sol Star, left and Seth Bullock on the Redwater Bridge, Belle Fourche at the time of a horse sale on the Star & Bullock Ranch, 1880’s.
PHOTO COURTESY ADAMS MUSEUM, DEADWOOD
Bullock is best known as Lawrence County's first sheriff, and for his close friendship with Theodore Roosevelt. Bullock sold the hotel to George Ayres in 1904. Ayres operated his hardware store on the main floor while the hotel upstairs stayed in operation from 1904 to 1919 as the Hoizner, and later as the Ayres Hotel.
The original brick warehouse can still be seen along Wall Street, with its iron fire shutters. The hotel was competely restored in the 1990’s, including the massive staircase and skylights. The rooms and suites upstairs are furnished with period furniture.
The Bullock Hotel still greets guests today.
PHOTO COURTESY BULLOCK HOTEL