This month’s photo, courtesy of Deadwood History Inc., is thought to have been taken during the Homestake Mining Company Lock-Out of 1901-1910. In November 1909, Thomas Greir, Homestake Mining Company Superintendent, ordered a lock-out after the threat of a strike by Lead City Miner’s Union. According to the South Dakota Historical Society, the lockout start at 6 p.m. Nov. 24, 1909 and lasted until Jan. 10, 1910. By 1914 all the miner’s unions in the Black Hills were inactive.

This was not the first time Homestake Mine butted heads with mining labor unions – in 1907, Homestake instituted an 8-hour work day after ceding to the union. That set the groundwork for the conflict between the Western Federation of Miners and Homestake that led to the infamous lockout. Homestake ultimately defeated the local labor organizations, giving them more control over their own labor costs. 

“Scabs” was a derogatory term for miners who went on strike. Those in unions who demanded better working conditions were particularly polarizing. The miners in this photo appear to be showing they were not the “scabs” threatening to strike, even going so far as to scrawl “no scabs here” across the photo.

Throughout 2025, we’ll showcase the Homestake Mining Company, a cornerstone of our local heritage. We all want to strike it rich, just like the mining employees did. Stay tuned for more stories and events as we celebrate the legacy of the Homestake Mining Company this year – a symbol of hard work, determination, and innovation that shaped Deadwood and the Black Hills region.
First Gold is named for being close to the site of Deadwood’s original gold strike and can keep you entertained all weekend long with a variety of gaming, comfortable lodging and the amazing Horseshoe Restaurant. Give us a call at 800-274-1876 or visit our website to book your room today.