Gem Theater

The Gem Theatre was a famous Saloon in Deadwood (South Dakota) under the leadership of Al Swearengen. Both Swearengen and the Gem are an important part of the HBO television series Deadwood.

History

The Gem was first opened on April 7, 1877 at the corner of Wall Street and Main Street, the newly established gold mining town Deadwood. In addition to the serving of alcohol was the main business of the saloon from variety shows and prostitution. For his brothel Swearengen lured young women with promises to the remote Deadwood and then forced them including through the use of force into prostitution.

The Gem was considered extremely lucrative and brought the evening average of 5,000 to 10,000 U.S. dollars, which corresponds today after taking inflation into account approximately 85000-170000 U.S. dollars.

In the great fire on September 26, 1879 and the Gem burned down to the ground. Swearengen took the opportunity, even more magnificent and bigger build up his establishment again.

1899 burned the Gem from again and crashed Swearengen into indigence. Swearengen left the city and was eventually found dead in 1904 in Denver with a severe head injury, as has recently discovered a death notice.

• Wild West
• Restaurant service (United States)
• Brothel
• Lawrence County ( South Dakota)