02/24/2026
Ever wonder why we named our taproom Tootsie's? From the late 1940s through the 1950s, an abandoned coyote pup sang her way into the hearts of South Dakota residents. Before making her mark as South Dakota's state animal, Tootsie was a star in Deadwood's annual Days of 76 Parade with her singing partner, Fred Borsch.
Tootsie was found by Ollie Wiswell in Custer Peak and came to live with Borsch and his wife, Esther, in 1947. Borsch taught Tootsie to sing by having her howls follow the changing pitch in his own voice. Her singing drew a lot of attention, and she was soon recording her songs, touring around the state and making personal appearances.
When she wasn't performing, Tootsie could often be found at Borsch's Spot Liquor Store in Deadwood, the current site of Tootsie's.
