Deadwood, South Dakota - Boondocks 1950s Retro Complex

When traveling from Deadwood to Mt. Rushmore via Lead, I opted to skip the freeway and take the back roads. I was rewarded with a find in the middle of nowhere, aptly named "Boondocks." This establishment was more 1950s and a far larger complex than any retro place I have yet seen. The restaurant looks like an old drive-in with a few 1950s autos randomly placed to give the feeling mid-century America. They placed picnic tables between the cars, which keeps the modern vehicles on the other side of the parking lot and preserves the '50s feel. I had my very first Buffalo Burger, along with a side of super greasy fries. Next door is a 1950s gas station, featuring an old pump with a glass display case for quarts of oil. A so called antique shop seems to sell few antiques but many 1950s reproductions of all sorts of things. There are plenty of Studebakers parked outside, along with a vintage boat. A portrait studio operating in a 1940's garage will take sepia tinted photos of visitors in period costumes and settings.

Ignoring the motorcycle parked on the roof, it does make you feel like you stepped back in time to visit a roadside stop. Great photo ops! [Richard Weiss, 03/26/2005]