Historic Preservation Commission Members
This seven-member commission is appointed by the City Commission and administers the historic rules and regulations within Deadwood’s historic districts. The Historic Preservation Commission review requests for historic preservation grant and loan programs, activities requiring a building permits for exterior changes or alterations, new construction, grading or demolition permits and provides budgetary oversight of funds generated by limited stakes gaming in Deadwood.
Anita Knipper
422 Williams
Deadwood, SD 57732
(307) 781-5492
orediggers92@hotmail.com
Term expires May 31, 2028
Anita Knipper is originally from Moline, IL, but fell in love with Deadwood and the Black Hills while working in Gillette, WY, for a summer during college. She vowed to move to the Black Hills when she retired. So, in 2020, she relocated to Deadwood and has been integrating herself into the community. She is a certified firefighter and Secretary/Treasurer for the Deadwood Volunteer Fire Department. She is also a member of the Lead-Deadwood Area Lions Club and Deadwood Neighborhood Council. Anita is excited to work with the Historic Preservation Commission to continue to protect and promote historic Deadwood.
Jesse Allen
180 Charles
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 591-9171
jallen@dmgrand.com
Term expires May 31, 2028
Jesse Allen was born in Deadwood, SD and has family ties to the city going back to the early days of Deadwood. He has a passion for Deadwood’s rich history and has seen the town grow and change over the years. He is very involved with many different boards including Deadwood Alive, Broken Boot Gold Mine, and the Deadwood Jam. Jesse works at the Deadwood Mountain Grand bringing entertainment and events to the community.
Tony Williams
906 Main Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
(360) 632-8264
williams120206@gmail.com
Term expires May 31, 2025
Tony Williams is retired from the United States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer (Aviation Structural Mechanic). He and is wife Diana, recently moved to Deadwood in 2017 and purchased a large Victorian on Upper Main Street which they continue to rehabilitate. Tony enjoys metal detecting, cigars and their pet bird, a Timneh African grey, named Logan. Tony serves on the Board of Deadwood Alive and works within the core district of the National Historic Landmark.
Leo Diede, Vice Chair
197 Cliff Street
Deadwood, SD 57732
(303) 981-4713
diede_leo@hotmail.com
Term expires May 31, 2026
Leo was born and raised in Deadwood. He married his wife Kara Melton in 1971. Leo worked at Homestake for six years to earn his way through college. After graduating from Black Hills State Leo and Kara left the area, returning almost every year for summer visits and holidays. After forty years, Leo and Kara returned to Deadwood due to a family illness and decided to purchase and renovate the family home. Leo says it is truly a pleasure to once again call the Hills home.
Molly Brown
9 Van Buren #11
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 545-5559
molly@genproenergy.com
Term Expires May 31, 2026
Molly Brown has been a resident of Deadwood since 2009 and loves the community of Deadwood and the rich history it was founded on. She is a former Main St. business owner and on the Executive Committee of Lead-Deadwood Economic Development. She currently works for GenPro Energy Solutions where she develops renewable energy projects throughout the Great Plains and Mountain West regions. Residing in the Historic Smith Apartment building in the Presidential Neighborhood, Molly can often be found volunteering or working for many of Deadwood's famous events.
Trevor Santochi
10 Van Buren Avenue
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 631-9074
tsantochi@aol.com
Term Expires May 31, 2026
Trevor Santochi retired to Deadwood in 2019. Being a engineering geologist, Trevor has always loved the geology of the Black Hills and other areas of South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Starting his career in the oil fields of Texas, Trevor eventually moved to California to work as a consultant engineering geologist for the past thirty years. His consulting consisted of various engineering projects including retaining walls, slope stability assessment and environmental restoration /site characterization involving real property. Trevor proudly resides in a 1896 Victorian style residence located in the Presidential Neighborhood and is happy to call Deadwood his home.
Vicki Dar
374 Williams
Deadwood, SD 57732
(605) 655-8030
sdwoman@icloud.com
Term Expires May 31, 2025
Vicki Dar hails from Washington state where she was a publisher and business owner for 30+ years. She first visited the Hills when her brother moved here in 1976. Vicki, and her other half Charles, moved to Deadwood in 2018. Her latest endeavor, South Dakota Senior, is a compilation of resources for South Dakota's over-50 community. A long lived passion for history can be seen in Vicki's hands-on rehabilitation and extensive research of several homes built in and prior to the early 1900's. Currently, Vicki and Charles are lovingly renovating and restoring their home, also known as the historic 1880 home of Deadwood's first female doctor, Flora Stanford.
