The Midnight Star

Kevin Costner turned a historic Deadwood building into his own casino after falling in love with the Black Hills filming "Dances with Wolves" — and ran it for 26 years before walking away.

📍 Deadwood, SD 📅 1991–Present 🏛️ Casino ⚖️ Still Here

The Story

Costner came to the Black Hills in 1990 to film "Dances with Wolves," then transformed Deadwood's historic Phoenix Block at 677 Main into the Midnight Star casino and restaurant, opening in 1991 and decorating it with props from his films. As legal gambling spread nationally and amid management turmoil, he closed it in 2017 after a 26-year run. A South Dakota ownership group reopened it at the same address in 2020, no longer under Costner.

Surprising Facts

→ The building is the historic "Phoenix Block," predating Costner's 1991 casino by decades.

→ Costner ran it for exactly 26 years before closing it in 2017.

→ Its interior was famously decorated with actual props and memorabilia from Costner's films.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Midnight Star?
The Midnight Star is at 677 Main St, Deadwood, SD. Explore it on the When It Was interactive map.
How old is The Midnight Star?
The Midnight Star dates to 1991, making it more than 35 years old.
Can you still visit The Midnight Star?
Yes — the site at 677 Main St, Deadwood, SD still stands and remains in use today.

More Black Hills History

Sources

https://www.casino.org/news/kevin-costner-closes-deadwood-casino-after-26-years/