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700 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
(800)688-1876
(605)578-2241
The Historic Franklin Hotel opened on June 4, 1903. The hotel was built at a cost of a tenth of a million dollars. The hotel was built in an era when pride and integrity went into every detail of the Greek architecture. The famous Franklin Hotel cultivated a sense of hearth and home amidst the untamed West.
During the depression the only public restrooms in the city of Deadwood were at The Franklin Hotel. To accommodate this service to the public the maintenance and upkeep were the responsibility of the City. The first radio broadcast in the State of South Dakota was broadcasted from one of the hotel rooms.
In the picture below the lobby boasts many elegant and charming features. The classic brick fireplace is 10 1/2 feet wide and 12 feet high with specially molded bases and cornices. The lobby floor is ceramic mosaic tile. The side walls are burlapped terra cotta and wainscoted four feet high in golden oak. The ceiling is pressed tin, Greek design, finished in old ivory white and high lighted in fire bronze. The lobby had a public entrance and a private entrance for ladies. The main stairway from the lobby forms a rotunda clear to the fourth floor.
Its interior appointments are entirely in keeping with its classic exterior. The Historic Franklin is the largest restoration project in the city.
The Suites Of the Franklin Hotel
No. 201 Casey Tibbs - 2 bedroom/sitting room/piano. Casey Tibbs was a national champion saddlelbronc rider. He stayed here during "The Day's of '76' annual festivities celebrating Deadwood's founding.
No. 209 Babe Ruth - 1 bedroom/sitting room. Babe Ruth came to Deadwood in 1922 to help with an exhibition baseball game. He stayed at the hotel as well as held a pep meeting with the team here.
No. 301 Rusty Gimble - 1 bedroom/sitting room. See room 305 for description.
No. 305 Sumner Memorial - 1 bedroom. These two rooms were named in honor of all of the "Ski For Light" participants. Ski For Light is a program designed to assist blind and physically handicapped young people in an opportunity to spend a week each year skiing and making new friends. The Franklin has sponsored the group since it's beginning in 1978. In 1990, the White House established the 1000 Points of Light as a national tribute of the highest order to every American who makes a positive contribution to social problems. On March 2, 1990, President Bush awarded Ski for Light as the 80th point.
No. 309 Jann Wenner - 1 bedroom/sitting room. Jann Wenner stayed at the Franklin Hotel in the spring of 1992, he is the editor and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine. He was accompanied by Bob Pittman who founded Music Television (MTV) and Sheldon Coleman, who is the owner of the self-named company that produces camping and sporting goods. They were traveling from San Francisco to New York via their motorcycles. This journey was set up by Tom Brokaw (NBC Anchorman) who is a personal friend with the Franklin Hotel's current owner, Bill Walsh.
No. 310 Roosevelt Suite - 2 bedroom/sitting room/spectacular view of Deadwood. President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here several times shortly after the hotel opened its doors and also gave a campaign speech off the Veranda. Teddy was a very close personal friend of Seth Bullock, Deadwood's first sheriff. Teddy and Seth served together in the "Roughriders." During one of his State of the Union addresses he said "Seth Bullock was the only true cowboy left in America." Seth also taught the Roosevelt boys "to be men." The Roosevelt children stayed in the Roosevelt suite several years after President Roosevelt passed away.
No. 320 Will Rogers - 2 bedroom/sitting room. Will Rogers was one of the great all time humorists in the 1920's and '30's, he was one the most beloved citizens of the U.S.
No. 400 Mary Hart - 2 bedroom/sitting room/with piano, bar and best view of Deadwood's Main Street. Dedicated to Mary Hart who was a native of SD and started on TV with Bill Walsh in 1972 in Sioux Falls. She has lived a prosperous life and now has a successful show called "Entertainment Tonight". Mary Hart and husband Burt Sugarman have stayed at the hotel several times since 1990.
405 Jack Dempsey - 2 bedroom / 1 1/2 / sitting room/bar. Jack Dempsey stayed here in 1942 while in the Coast Guard. He was selling war bonds for WWII. Jack Dempsey was a heavyweight fighter. Apparently Mr. Dempsey enjoyed the likes of our basement bar.
No. 409 Korkow - 1 bedroom/sitting room. Jim and Erv Korkow are the top producers of livestock for the Pro Rodeo Circuit. They are natives to SD and make the Franklin Hotel their headquarters every year during the Day's of '76 celebration.
No. 411 Harrington - 1 bedroom/sitting room. John Harrington was a jet fighter ace during the Vietnam War. Mr Harrington is a big supporter and helps make the Franklin and Durty Nelly's the officers' headquarters of the Black Hills.
No. 419 Kennedy - 1 bedroom/sitting room. This suite is named after the entire Kennedy family. Robert Kennedy is a close friend of Bill Walsh and we have yearly visits from many of the Kennedy clan.
No. 421 William Taft - 2 bedroom/formal sitting room/formal dining area/bar/hardwood floors. President William Taft was at the Franklin in 1911, he dined in our restaurant.
No. 426 Kevin Costner - 1 bedroom/sitting room/kitchenette. Kevin Costner stayed at the Franklin in the fall of 1989 while filming the movie "Dances with Wolves". Kevin liked the area so much that he and his brother Dan opened a casino on Deadwood's main street called the Midnight Star. They are also building a $100 million resort called "The Dunbar Resort".
No. 427 Governor's - 1 formal bedroom/sitting room. This suite is named after all of the Governors who have stayed at the Franklin throughout the years including: George Mickelson, Jr: George Mickelson, Sr; Joe Foss and Tom Berry. Governor Dick Kneip was a close friend of Bill Walsh and stayed here several times a year.
Other Historic Rooms
No. 200 Buffalo Bill - Bill was a Wild West showman who put on many rodeo shows in Deadwood. The room was chosen as it overlooks the site of Wild Bill's campground and Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Buffalo Bill was a personal friend of Wild Bill and every time he looked out of the window he remembered his old friend.
No. 202 Sir John Wedgewood - His father was the founder of Wedgewood China in England. Sir John was a poet and author who honeymooned at the Franklin Hotel in 1982.
No. 204 Faith Baldwin - She wrote over 80 novels and stayed at the Franklin in the 1930's. She was a prohibitionist but loved Durty Nellys.
No. 206 John Wayne - The Duke was a guest of the hotel while filming "Stagecoach" in Custer State Park in 1939.
No. 212 Cecil B. DeMille - He was a director of such movies as "Plainsmen," which was about Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. He stayed here at the hotel during its filming.
No. 214 Sid Grauman - This famous director stayed at the Franklin Hotel while looking into an investment in a gold mine. He owned the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
No. 216 Lame Deer - This Sioux Indian chief performed the last buffalo count in the Black Hills in the 1920's. He also was a great Indian Rodeo rider and performed the Sun Dance, a spiritual ritual of the Sioux Indians.
No. 218 Potato Creek Johnny - He found the largest gold nugget ever found in the Black Hills weighing 7 1/2 troy ounces. He lived in the hotel from 1930 until his death on February 26, 1943. Johnny entertained the tourists in Deadwood during this time. He walked in the "Day's of '76" parade dancing a jig for the people during the delays. Potato Creek was a small man standing only 4 feet 3 inches tall.
No. 232 Railroad - This room was named for the Burlingtion Northern Railroad personnel who stayed at the Franklin during their lay over in Deadwood three nights a weeks.
No. 300 Pearl Buck - This famous author stayed at the Franklin while doing research on her books. She authored such novels as "The Good Earth".
No. 302 Frederick March - Frederick was an actor in the 1930's, sometimes seen with Laura LaPlante. Starred in such films as "Inherit The Wind" and "Seven Days In May."
No. 304 Laura LaPlante - Laura was a silent screen actress of the 1930's. She stayed at the hotel while starring in a production at the Deadwood Theatre located where the Motor Inn now sits.
No. 306 Harley Davidson - This room was named for the guests that have stayed with us during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Classic and for Mr. Davidson who founded Harley Davidson Motorcycles in 1903, the same rear the Franklin opened it's doors.
No. 312 Gail Russell - Gail played Calamity Jane in the movie, "Wild Bill Hickok". She was also in many other westerns. She was here for the dedication of the statue of Wild Bill Hickok to the town of Deadwood.
No. 314 John L. Sullivan - John was a world heavyweight boxer in the 1920's, and stayed at the hotel during his rest period after a major fight.
No. 316 Andy Devine - Andy was a western actor who played Jingles; Wild Bill's sidekick and was here for the dedication of the statue of Wild Bill.
No. 318 Guy Madison - Guy was a western actor who played Wild Bill Hickok. He also was here for the dedication of Wild Bill's statue to the city.
No. 406 Harris Franklin - Harris Franklin had the largest cattle company in the Black Hills in the late 1880's. In 1892 he sold his cattle and used his profits to begin construction of the hotel. By 1902 Harris Franklin's finances were exhausted and the hotel was still not complete. He sold his share of the hotel to his son Nathan for one million dollars. Nathan started the Deadwood Club which was a group of local business people who raised sufficient money to complete the present day Franklin Hotel.
No. 412 Seth Bullock - Seth was the first sheriff of Deadwood. He was known for cleaning up Deadwood and making it a law abiding community. Teddy Roosevelt and Seth were close friends. Seth partially funded the building of the Ayres Block in 1895 and opened it as the Bullock Hotel in 1896. It was since re-opened at its original location on Deadwood's Main Street.
No. 414 Lawrence Welk - In 1942, Lawrence Welk stayed at the hotel while visiting friends in the area. His band was performing in Rapid City at the time .
No. 416 Willie Pep - Pep was a two-time featherweight boxing champ in the 1950's. He stayed at the hotel during the Golden Gloves Boxing tournament in 1986.
No. 418 Jack Hoxie - Jack came in 1925 to make a picture that flopped. He gambled in the Gold Bar which is now Durty Nelly's and lost all of his money. He had to pay his room rent with a silver mounted saddle and bridle which was later sold at a sheriff s sale.
Upon entering the Historic Franklin Hotel you will be surrounded by history. Antiques and original furnishings are located throughout the entire hotel. In the lobby the original reception desk and back bar have been restored. The slots are back in the lobby, just like the old days of Deadwood's gaming history. The Otis elevator is one of 35 in the country that are still hand operated.
During your stay visit the 1903 Dining Room and enjoy the variety of fine foods offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room has been completely restored to its original elegance. While dining you can also enjoy the beautiful music of the piano played by Jeff Klein. Jeff will play your favorite melody upon request.
The Emerald Room is located on the second floor of the hotel. It was originally designed as a formal sitting room for ladies. Adjoining the Emerald Room is a Private Parlor that was used as the "fainting room." Currently these unique rooms are furnished with antiques and are used for banquets, wedding receptions and private parties. It has also been the perfect "chapel" for many weddings.
From the Emerald Room step out onto the the Veranda and relax and relish a cocktail while enjoying the best view of Deadwood's Historic Main Street.
The Franklin has 87 slot machines, live blackjack and poker. Guests are encouraged to join the Deadwood Club. It's free. Members receive gaming coupons, newsletters, invitations to special events and much more!
Callahan's's Sport's Lounge has a big screen TV and offers gamblers complementary tap beer, soft drinks and wine while playing. The Irish Pub, Durty Nellys, offers live music every weekend. A popular tavern for locals and esteemed visitors feel at home.
The Historic Franklin Hotel has 77 guest rooms including fourteen suites. The hotel has accommodated such notables as John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft just to name a few. Their guest list has included TV celebrities, movie stars such as Mary Hart, Kevin Costner, Tom Brokhaw and John Larquette.
To date over two million dollars has been spent on extensive restoration projects. The process has taken over five years to insure preserving the Grand Old Hotel's history. The Franklin is proud to offer its valued guests modern comfort with historic charm, located in the "center of action" on Deadwood's Historic Main Street.
The Franklin wants to be your home away from home... come hang your hat with the famous!
Deadwood legalized limited gaming November 1st, 1989. The law is that each building can have up to thirty gaming devices, in addition there is a maximum bet of five dollars. The Historic Franklin is designated as three buildings due to the various stages of construction from 1903 to present. The Franklin has 87 slot machines, one poker table and two blackjack tables.
The card room is located in the basement of the hotel next to Durty Nelly's Irish Pub. There are three rooms on the main level consisting of the Franklin's lobby set in a Victorian setting, there are nickel, quarter, dollar and five dollar machines. The lobby also has progressive Quartermania machines.
The Franklin also has the John Wayne Room which has the same types of machines as well as progressive Sizzlin' Nickel machines. The last is the "Star of The West Casino" area which adjoins with the Callahans Lounge. It has more machines including the new spin the Wheel machines as well as some touch screens. The hotel has five video lottery machines placed in both of the bars.
