The Broken Boot Gold Mine between Deadwood and Central City is undergoing a three‑phase renovation project expected to exceed $150,000, aimed at preserving one of the area’s most popular educational and tourist attractions.
This week, the mine received $8,160 in Deadwood Not‑For‑Profit Grant funding — the remaining amount allowed under the grant’s five‑year limit — along with $50,000 in emergency historic preservation funds. The money will help address safety issues in the mine’s exit tunnel and allow the attraction to open for the season by May 23.
Historic Preservation and Planning Director Kevin Kuchenbecker said the funding is critical to keeping the mine open. The current phase focuses on replacing supports and removing rock in the exit tunnel, while a third phase will stabilize deeper sections of the mine. Work is being handled by an underground mining contractor under engineering oversight.
Open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the nonprofit mine hosts about 21,000 tours each year and reinvests nearly all revenue into maintenance, repairs and payroll. Operators say ongoing fundraising and partnerships are essential to preserving the historic mine for future generations.
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