Orville (French) Bryan (Term 1977 - 1978)

Orville Charles “French” Bryan is a third generation resident of the Black Hills, accomplished chef, restaurant owner and former Deadwood Mayor.  Bryan was born on October 18, 1950 and spent his childhood on the family ranch along the Red Water, south of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.  After graduating from Spearfish High School, Bryan attended and graduated from Black Hills State University in 1972.  Three years later in 1975, Bryan and his wife Taffy Tucker purchased the Franklin Hotel dining room and eventually acquired the Franklin Hotel and Gold Bar with two other couples in 1978.  During this time, Bryan was elected to the Deadwood city council in 1976 and was appointed Mayor of Deadwood when Willard Pummel, manager of the Deadwood branch of Norwest Bank, transferred to Belle Fourche in 1978.  Bryan held this position until a special election selected a new Deadwood Mayor.  Later in life, Bryan established the Bay Leaf Café in Spearfish, SD.  The Bay Leaf Café operated for 24 years until 2017.