Teddy Roosevelt Friendship Tower.

Teddy Roosevelt Friendship Tower

Teddy Roosevelt died in January 1919. Seth Bullock, the first appointed Sheriff and Marshal of Deadwood, was so saddened by the news that he organized the construction of a 32-foot-tall stone tower north of town atop Sheep Mountain (later renamed Mount Roosevelt). Dedicated on July 4, it was the first memorial in the United States to Roosevelt, according to a plaque at its base.

Bullock chose the spot because, from the top of the tower, you can see the rangelands to the north where Bullock and Teddy first met and became friends.

Bullock was nearly 70 at the time the tower was completed, and died less than three months later. The tower gradually fell into disrepair, but was restored in 2010. Visitors can once again climb to the top, enjoy the view, and perhaps pretend they're Seth or Teddy.

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Also see: Deadwood Round-Up

Teddy Roosevelt Friendship Tower

Address:: Mt. Roosevelt Rd, Deadwood, SD
Directions:: From US Hwy 85, one mile north of Deadwood, look for the "Tatanka" sign on the east side of the highway. On the west side of the highway, opposite that sign, is an unmarked gravel road (Pine Crest Lane/Mt. Roosevelt Rd). Turn west onto that gravel road. Follow it 2.5 miles until you see the sign for the Mt. Roosevelt parking area. Park and walk the trail a half-mile to the tower.

More on Teddy Roosevelt Friendship Tower

Nearby Offbeat Places

Broken Boot Gold Mine, Deadwood, SD - 2 mi.

Preacher Smith Monument, Deadwood, SD - 2 mi.

Deadwood: Signs and Wonders, Deadwood, SD - 2 mi.

In the region:

Center of the Nation: 50 States, Belle Fourche, SD - 39 mi.

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