“The gun slinging and rough talking, Calamity Jane was one of best Freight wagon masters in the West.”
About This Tour
Sundance is so much more than just the name of a little town you will pass through on your road trip. The town is named after, the Sun Dance, a ceremony performed in prayer for spiritual renewal and the hope for survival of generations to come in the face of the oncoming and inevitable westward expansion.
Step inside the old jailhouse, hear the legendary tale of the Sundance Kid, find out where Calamity Jane took shelter, and return back in time to the days of the Ol’ Charlie Sackett Saloon.
The Crook County Museum & Art Gallery is located in historic downtown Sundance. For more information visit the Crook County Museum website or in person at the lower level of the Crook County Courthouse. Stop by the museum to experience a glimpse of the old West and venture into the gallery to view an exciting mix of exhibits.
Local musician, Mark Burgess, generously donated use of his music to accompany the wonderful stories along this route.
Sample Stories
For more content, click the "Explore this Tour Remotely" button below.
Frank's Mercentile
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The Long Horn Saloon and Grill now stands at this site. Abe and Meyer Frank's General Mercantile Store was located right here in the early 1880s. After a fire in 1886, the store was repaired and became known as Frank and Company, offering general goods and groceries. The first telephone switchboard in Sundance, which supported 15 lines, was located at the back of the store.
Seth Bullock of Deadwood saw the potential of Sundance and became part owner in a hardware store in town called Bullock and Rounds. Seth was also instrumental in getting the telephone lines to Sundance so that Deadwood and Sundance could communicate better for freight shipping.
Hoge's Trading Post 1875
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This was the original site of Albert Hoge's trading post in 1875. Albert owned much of the land in this area. When he opened his store, he saw an opportunity for growth and prosperity. Eventually, he sold property to other entrepreneurial settlers and even started plotting out plans for the town. When he mapped out the town, he left a square block for the county courthouse even though Sundance did not become a county until 1885. Now that is forward thinking!
Even though no remnants of the trading post remain. Albert Hoge's vision for the town of Sundance lives on.
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From the Sheriff's Office, walk across 4th St and then north along the sidewalk in front of the Crook County School District building. Just after you pass the district building you will come to "Old Stoney."
