Sol Star

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Star's partnership with Seth Bullock was central to Deadwood's early development. They purchased a lot from Al Swearengen and Henry Beaman to open their auctioneering and commission business. In 1880, they partnered with Harris Franklin in the Deadwood Flouring Mill, where Star served as general manager. Their business interests expanded to Spearfish, Sturgis, and Custer. A key turning point came when a speculator bought the right-of-way to Minnesela and demanded a high price from the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad. Bullock and Star offered 40 acres of free right-of-way across their land, convincing the railroad to build a track. The railroad built a station three miles northwest of Minnesela in 1890, and Bullock and Star were instrumental in founding the town of Belle Fourche there, offering free lots to anyone moving from Minnesela. Belle Fourche became the largest railhead for livestock in the United States and stole the county seat from a declining Minnesela. After their Deadwood hardware store burned down in 1894, they built Deadwood's first hotel on the site—a three-story, 64-room luxury hotel with steam heat and indoor bathrooms on each floor, costing $40,000. The Bullock Hotel continues to operate today, now incorporating a 24-hour casino.

In Their Own Story

Star's political career was as notable as his business ventures. He was elected to Deadwood's first town council in 1876, became town postmaster in 1877, and was elected mayor in 1884, serving ten terms for a total of 14 years. After South Dakota achieved statehood, he served as a Republican in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1889–1890 and in the South Dakota State Senate in 1893–1894, where he served as President Pro Tempore. He then served as Lawrence County Clerk of Courts for 20 years, until his death. Despite a reportedly lavish funeral in Deadwood, Star was not buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Instead, his family had his body transported to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was laid to rest in New Mount Sinai Cemetery.

Reader's Guide

For fans of the HBO series Deadwood, Sol Star was portrayed by John Hawkes in the television series (2004–2006) and reprised his role in the television film Deadwood: The Movie (2019), set a decade after the events of season 3. The show's producers switched the character's birthplace to Vienna instead of Bavaria. In the series, Star is a close partner of Seth Bullock, reflecting their real-life business and political alliance. Key real-life moments to know: Star arrived in Deadwood on August 3, 1876, the day after Wild Bill Hickok was killed. He and Bullock purchased their lot from Al Swearengen and Henry Beaman. Their hardware store burned down in 1894, leading them to build the Bullock Hotel. Star's political roles included town council, postmaster, mayor, state representative, state senator (President Pro Tempore), and county clerk of courts. He was never married. His body was transported to St. Louis for burial at New Mount Sinai Cemetery.

Did You Know?

• Sol Star arrived in Deadwood on August 3, 1876, the day after Wild Bill Hickok was killed.
• He and Seth Bullock purchased their Deadwood lot from Al Swearengen and Henry Beaman.
• After their hardware store burned down in 1894, they built Deadwood's first hotel on the site—a three-story, 64-room luxury hotel with steam heat and indoor bathrooms, costing $40,000.
• Star served as President Pro Tempore of the South Dakota Senate in 1893–1894.
• Despite a lavish funeral in Deadwood, his body was transported to St. Louis, Missouri, and buried in New Mount Sinai Cemetery.