Historic Adams House
Location submitted by: sdonley on 02/18/2015 DBA Approved: Y
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22 Van Buren St
Deadwood, SD 57732
Phone: (605) 578-3724
Open to the public: Yes
https://www.deadwoodhistory.com/abo...
Lat: 44.3766
Lon: -103.7280
PANICd#: 1665
Publication date: 04/06/20261892 home of Deadwood pioneer W. E. Adams, has original furnishings & personal items on display.
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 1
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 10
Evidence: 0
Resources: 3
Retrievals: 2
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History
History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
The Historic Adams House in Deadwood, South Dakota, was built in 1892 during a time when the town was transforming from a rough gold mining camp into a more refined and prosperous community. The home was originally constructed for Harris and Anna Franklin, who were among the early wealthy residents of Deadwood and wanted a residence that reflected their status and success.
Designed in the Queen Anne style, the house was considered one of the most elegant homes in the region. It featured advanced conveniences for its time, including indoor plumbing, electricity, telephone service, and elaborate decorative elements. These features symbolized a shift in Deadwood from a frontier settlement into a modern city shaped by wealth and industry.
William Emery Adams, a prominent businessman and former mayor of Deadwood, purchased the home in 1920. Adams had built a successful wholesale grocery business and played a significant role in the growth and development of the city. He used the home as both a residence and a place to entertain influential guests and community leaders.
The Adams family experienced both prosperity and tragedy during their time in the home. Personal losses deeply affected Adams, including the deaths of his wife and daughters. These events cast a somber tone over the otherwise grand residence and would later contribute to the stories and legends surrounding the house.
His second wife closed the house after Adams passed away in 1934, leaving it largely untouched for decades. In 1992, the property was acquired, and it was carefully restored. Today it operates as a museum, preserving much of the original furnishings and offering a rare glimpse into life during Deadwood's transition into a thriving city.
Added by: sdonley on 04/06/2026
DB#:883
Source(s):
Various Sources
Stories & Folklore
Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.
The Historic Adams House is often described as having a lingering presence tied to the Adams family and the tragedies they endured. Visitors and staff have long reported a sense that the house is not entirely empty, especially in rooms once occupied by the family.
One of the most commonly shared experiences involves unexplained footsteps heard on the upper floors when no one else is present. These sounds are often described as slow and deliberate, as if someone is moving through the home long after closing hours. The quiet nature of the house seems to amplify these occurrences.
Guests have also reported hearing faint voices or whispers, particularly near the bedrooms and parlor areas. Some believe these sounds may be connected to the emotional history of the Adams family, especially following the devastating losses that occurred within their lives.
Another frequently mentioned phenomenon involves objects appearing to shift or move slightly between tours. Staff have occasionally noted small changes in the placement of items despite careful attention to preserving the rooms exactly as they were left decades ago.
Many paranormal enthusiasts believe the activity within the home may be residual in nature. The intense emotions tied to both the success and tragedies experienced by the Adams family may have left an imprint on the environment, creating repeating echoes of the past rather than active spirits.
Added by: sdonley on 04/06/2026 DB#: 1841
Source(s):
Various Sources
Paranormal Claims
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
| Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
| 4797 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Footsteps heard on upper floors when building is empty |
| 4798 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Disembodied voices and whispers in bedrooms and parlors |
| 4799 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Objects slightly moved or repositioned without explanation |
| 4800 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Unexplained feelings of being watched or followed |
| 4801 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Cold spots reported in multiple rooms |
| 4802 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Doors opening or closing on their own |
| 4803 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Residual energy believed tied to family tragedies |
| 4804 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Shadow figures occasionally reported in hallways |
| 4805 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Unusual sounds during quiet hours after tours |
| 4806 | 04/06/2026 | sdonley | Strong emotional atmosphere sensed by visitors |
Additional Resources
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Paranormal Investigations of the Historic Adams House 2025 - Deadwood History
Added: 04/06/2026 By: sdonley |
Information about investigations at this location. |
| HauntedHouses.com
Added: 04/06/2026 By: sdonley |
Information about the location. |
| Adams House - US Ghost Adventures
Added: 04/06/2026 By: sdonley |
Information about the paranormal. |
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