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Haunted Hotel: Historic Bullock Hotel

So far, we've featured The Admiral Fell Inn in Baltimore, Maryland and The Marshall House in Savannah Georgia in our special series on the most haunted hotels in the U.S. per TripAdvisor. If you haven't read these posts, please be sure to check them out:

Haunted Hotel: The Admiral Fell Inn
Haunted Hotel: The Marshall House

Week 3 finds us in Deadwood, South Dakota, home to the Historic Bullock Hotel. Fusing 19th century history and elegance with modern amenities, the downtown hotel is located near such popular attractions as the Days of '76 Rodeo Arena, Adam's Museum, and Saloon #10. It boasts comfortable accommodations; Bully's, an intimate restaurant named for Bullock's lifelong friend, Teddy Roosevelt; and a lively casino that has included slot machines since they were first invented in 1887.

The hotel traces its history to 1876, when two business owners -- Seth Bullock and and Sol Star -- moved their hardware store from Helena to Deadwood. They purchased a lot on the corner of Main and Wall Street -- where the Bullock Hotel now stands -- and within a year they built a new store and warehouse.

Bullock had been sheriff in Lewis and Clark County, Montana before he arrived in Deadwood. After the death of Wild Bill Hickok in August of 1876, Bullock was appointed the first Sheriff of Deadwood. He wasted little time cleaning up the town and establishing order in a city marred by corruption and lawlessness. The hardware store prospered until it was destroyed by a fire in 1894.

It was then Bullock and Sol Star decided to build a hotel over the original store and warehouse. Once complete, it featured a restaurant that could seat 100 people, a large lobby with brass chandeliers, rooms furnished with brass beds and oak dressers, and a library and parlor. Bullock also converted a building abutting the hotel into a Gentleman's Bar. The hotel became a sensation in no time, drawing large numbers from Deadwood and elsewhere.

Seth Bullock died of cancer on September 23, 1919 at his ranch near Belle Fourche, South Dakota. However, legend has it that Bullock continues to play host at his hotel. In fact, guests have reported paranormal activity in the guestrooms, hallways on the second and third floors, restaurant, and cellar. Still others have claimed to see an apparition resembling Bullock in the basement, restaurant, and other areas.

Other accounts include:
  • Plates and glasses shaking
  • Lights, showers, alarm clocks, and TVs turning on and off by themselves
  • Whistling sounds and guests' names being called out by a male voice
  • Guests being tapped on the shoulder 
The most photographed building in Deadwood, the Historic Bullock Hotel was featured on the show Unsolved Mysteries and offers a fascinating ghost tour.

Would you stay at this hotel? Why or why not?

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