Goldberg Grocery Company Records

Collection

Identifier: 5036

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Goldberg Grocery Company Records contain 48 volumes of account and cash ledgers dated between 1879 and 1941. These ledgers document the interaction of businesses and the people who used Goldberg Grocery Company. Cash Ledger, 1897-1899 mentions the $6.00 charge from Calamity Jane that was never paid off. There is also company stationery and receipts.

Dates

1879-1942

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment. Access to some of the Ledgers stored separately requires 24-hour advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Goldberg Grocery Company was originally called Big Horn Grocery, was the first grocery store in Deadwood, and operated for over 100 years in its original location at 670 and 672 Main Street. The store was founded in 1876 during the Deadwood Gold Rush by Jacob Golberg. The land and building were originally owned by P. A. Gushurst and Freeman, who quickly sold the property to Jacob.

Jacob Goldberg arrived in Deadwood on August 12, 1876, with the Helena, Montana, caravan led by Captain Hardwick. C.N. Matthiessen was Goldberg’s partner until 1882. In the 1879 fire the original building was destroyed and the brick structure was built in its location. The building itself has had many improvements and additions. The grocery store was well known for its meat counter and its special blend of coffee that was roasted daily. Goldberg's also provided customers with charge accounts and delivery services. Calamity Jane had a $6.00 charge that was never paid. Jacob owned the company for 58 years until his retirement in 1934.

James O’Hara, who worked for the company for over 30 years, succeeded Jacob as owner in 1934. Shortly after Jame's passing, his wife sold the company to Arnold G. Johnson in 1946. Johnson worked for the Hearst Merchantile Company and was employed by Goldberg Grocery before becoming the owner.

In 1949, while under Johnson’s ownership, the Deadwood Bakery opened in the building. The building was remodeled to accommodate this addition to the store. Also in 1949, Johnson was still continuing to accept gold mined in the Black Hills as payment for his merchandise.

On November 14, 1949, the company was sold to Walt and Frances Williamson. Walt was a former salesman for Adams Wholesalers.

In April 1972, the Williamson’s sold the company to Larry Shama. In 1976 Shama bought Al’s Drug and turned Golberg Grocery into a grocery and soda fountain using the 1910 soda fountain from Al’s Drug Store. The grocery store closed on April 28, 1990. Two months later it was reopened as Goldberg's Casino. The building housed the soda fountain (which operated until 2000) and 60 slot machines. From 2012 to 2014 the building was vacant. In 2016, the building was purchased by Scott and Sharon Jacobs and became Scott Jacobs Studio and Jacobs Gallery.

Extent

0.25 Linear feet (1 box; 41 volumes; 15 inches of loose ledger pages)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Goldberg Grocery Company, originally called Big Horn Grocery, was the first grocery store in Deadwood. It was located at 670 and 672 Main Street. The grocery store operated from 1876 to 1990. During its lifetime the store had five owners: Jacob Goldberg (1976-1934), James O’Hara (1934-1946), Arnold G. Johnson (1946-1949), Walt Williamson (1942-1972), and Larry Shama (1972-1990). The grocery then became a soda fountain and casino and is currently an art studio. The Goldberg Grocery Company records contain 48 volumes of account and cash ledgers dated between 1879 and 1941. These ledgers document the interaction of businesses and the people who used Goldberg Grocery Company. Cash Ledger, 1897-1899 mentions the $6.00 charge from Calamity Jane that was never paid off. There is also company stationery and receipts.

Arrangement

The collection is intellectually arranged by having the ledgers first in chronological order. At the end are the loose materials, such as receipts, in chronological order.

Thirty-one ledgers are on display at the Adams Museum in the Building A City Exhibit. The ledgers are not arranged in any order in the exhibit.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were transferred as one donation, accession number ARC.095.012, from Larry and Marci Shama on August 31, 1995.

Related Materials

The Adams Museum Collection contains other archival materials, photographs, and objects related to the Goldberg Grocery Company.

The Deadwood City Archives has the probate records for James O’Hara which has the Goldberg Grocery Store listed.

South Dakota Digital Library has 11 contemporary photographs of the Goldberg Grocery building.