The Historic Bullock Hotel in Deadwood, South Dakota was built by Seth Bullock between 1894 and 1896. Bullock had been sheriff in Lewis and Clark County, Montana before his arrival in Deadwood where he chose to move the hardware store he ran with Sol Star to. After the death of Wild Bill Hickok in August, 1876 Deadwood began to demand law and order, which resulted in Bullock’s appointment as the first Sheriff of Deadwood a few months later. He was lifelong friends with Theodore Roosevelt who appointed him the first Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills and in 1905 United States Marshall for the District of South Dakota.
After his death in 1919 (which some say was in room 211 at the hotel, although this is contested) it is said that Seth Bullock still proudly haunts the hotel and has been seen by guests and employees. Reports include feelings of a strong paranormal presence inside several rooms and the hallways of the second and third floors, as well as in Bully’s restaurant, and in Seth's Cellar.
Others have reported actually seeing the tall ghostly figure of Bullock in various areas of the hotel, including the restaurant and the basement. Apparently Seth’s ghost wants to ensure that the staff are working hard, as paranormal events tend to increase when staff members stand idle, whistle or hum. Plates and glasses have been known to shake and take flight in the restaurant, lights and appliances turn on and off by themselves, items are inexplicably moved by unseen hands, and showers turn on, seemingly, of their own accord.
Many guests have reported hearing their name called out by a male voice when no one is present, or have been tapped on the shoulder by unseen hands. Others have heard whistling, smelt cigar smoke and many report the sounds of footsteps in the hallways when no one is there. Apparitions are also often seen by guests as well as orbs.
Ghost tours of the hotel are held regularly and there is diary
containing ghostly encounters written by guests who have stayed the
hotel.
To include The Bullock Hotel as part of your fly-drive holiday in the Rocky Mountain states, please call Bon Voyage.