The Horrific Truth About Brothels During The Wild West

Beneath the dusty tumbleweeds and the crack of gunfire, the American Wild West of the mid to late 1800s harbored a different kind of vice, found within the gilded doors of bustling brothels and the coy smiles of cunning madames. In a time marked by lawlessness and opportunism, these houses of ill repute carved out a notorious niche in the heart of the frontier.

As the flicker of gas lanterns danced across the faces of weary cowboys, miners, and outlaws alike, the siren call of these establishments echoed far and wide. Figures like Julia Bulette, the esteemed madame of Virginia City, and Pearl de Vere, the 'Soiled Dove of Cripple Creek,' presided over these dens of decadence, forever etching their names in the annals of American lore.

But who were these women who ran these businesses with iron fists cloaked in velvet gloves? What were the stories behind their clientele, and what role did these establishments play in the evolution of the Wild West?

In the words of the famous American journalist and short-story writer Ambrose Bierce, who lived during this era, "Love: a temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences exciting it." Are you ready to delve into the salacious history of Wild West brothels and their madams? Saddle up, partner, and let's embark on this intriguing journey together. Welcome to the diary of Julius Caesar.

Dawn of Dusk. The Emergence of Evening Establishments in the Wild West.

In the tumultuous era of the American West during the mid to late 19th century, an intriguing socio-cultural phenomenon arose. This era, commonly referred to as the 'Wild West', saw the rise of establishments often run by compelling women known as madams, serving as gathering places for weary travelers, miners, and frontiersmen. They were known as the brothels, or more romantically, houses of evening entertainment.

What led to the advent of these establishments? The answer lies in a confluence of historical events and socio-economic factors. The pivotal Gold Rush that began in 1848 in California stands as a significant contributor. With a flood of predominantly male prospectors seeking fortune, an opportunity was created for the rise of such establishments, which began to cater to the solitude and loneliness of these prospectors.

Among the first such establishments was one run by a woman named Ah Toy. She was a Cantonese-born American madam who sailed to San Francisco in 1849. Her unique blend of exotic allure and quick wit soon brought her success in the business of courtship, opening her own establishment to service the burgeoning population of fortune seekers.

Simultaneously, there was a significant wave of migration driven by the Homestead Act of 1862, which promised settlers free land in the western territories. This resulted in a surge of pioneers moving west, and with this influx came the growth of 'boomtowns'. These towns often lacked traditional societal structures, creating an environment ripe for the birth of evening establishments.

A popular saying from the time period reflected the ethos of the era, "In the West, men made their own laws, or none at all." This represented the Wild West's frontier spirit, and it was within this unregulated environment that houses of evening entertainment flourished.

00:00 The Wild West
01:31 The Emergence of Evening Establishments
05:12 Notable Madams of the Wild West
08:54 The Unseen Rhythms of the Evening Houses
12:10 The Tale of the Ladies of the Night in the Wild West
15:29 The Untold Story of the Soiled Doves of the Old West
18:50 The Gentlemen in Gowns
21:55 Economic and Societal Impressions of Wild West’s Red-Light Establishments
25:28 Legalities and Health Landscapes of Wild West’s Nightly Nests
28:40 A Tapestry of Cultures in the Parlours of the Night
31:19 A Haven for the Unconventional within the Parlours of the Night
33:33 The Waning Days of the Western Bordellos
37:03 The Screen’s Perspective on the Nightly Nests of Yore
40:02 Tracing the Genesis of Red-Light Realms

[zoehope]

I'll never understand why women are reviled for performing this service and the men that visit them remain blameless. These women deserve our respect and support not condemnation and judgement.

[ellstark]

These men must have stank to high heaven. I can not imagine how these ladies did what they did with compassion, warmth and grace. They truly were the strongest of the strong!

[patfiore]

Some women wanted to work and they had a good time Other women it was hell for them because they have no where else to go and nobody wanted them some of these poor women had diseases And no cure No penicillin They suffered with their diseases and they died

[MidMo]

I’m 17 minutes into this.. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say the exact same thing, so many ways, for this long. It’s a tribute to redundancy! Perhaps the writer should be in politics 🤣🤣

[melissapinol]

In early Texas, the prostitutes were known as "the sisters of mercy" which tells a little bit about the role they played, not only providing sex services but companionship and comfort to lonley men. I won't judge them.

[JackReynolds-wg]

The best introduction to the 'trade'.❤
Why we inwardly celebrate what outwardly we must condemn.

[kathrynvantil]

I've now have learned about things I never understood. Great coverage. Thank you 👍

[tricivenola]

Lilly Langtry was a famous English performer and celebrity of the era, NOT a "fictional brothel owner." Her name is so well known that it can't be a coincidence. One sheriff spent his life longing to meet her, but died a week before her tour arrived. Otherwise, fascinating. Especially the old photos.

[harolddburke]

I really was taken by the old photos. People alwatys can distort the truth. For the most part these old photos tell it like it is...or was. Amazing these women make me proud to be a American. Stand up and salute! The American Wild West. A time like no other in the history of the world.

[eriklippe]

The first picture in the "Gentlemen in Gowns" part is actually a picture of the cast of the Paris, France nightclub Le Caroussel de Paris in the early 1970's😁

[paavobergmann]

FunFact: Tumbleweed was only introduced in America at the very end of the "Wild West" period, it´s from the eurasian steppes originally.

[turtlejeepjen]

Please let me have ANY lasting nickname better then “Madam Mustache” or “Big Nose Kate” 😳💀😵‍💫

[maryjackson]

If women saw this as the only way to financial security, they weren't making the choice willingly. And get that photo of Annie Oakley out of your video!

[twichmcvey]

So many of these women were slaves to the brothels. Sold into it by family or those that had stolen them. Many were just kids really when they were first "tried" and trained to be a whore. Few had any hope of freedom or a personal life. Even more died early on in just the first year ot two from violence, illnesses and drugs

[m.ccheddarbox]

The fact that prostitution is still illegal in almost all states in the US is insane to me. It allows the black market to thrive.

[carlorizzo]

These madams are probably the first example of women being a manager of a business

[virginiawilkinson]

Who do you think Miss Kitty was on Gunsmoke? That's why Matt Dillon couldn't kiss her or marry her.

[treasuretv]

Discussing the dangers of prostitution, especially for women, and the role of pimps in this context, requires an understanding of the complexities and risks inherent in the industry.

1. Physical and Sexual Violence: Women in prostitution often face a high risk of physical and sexual violence. This can come from clients, pimps, or others involved in the sex trade. The lack of legal protection in areas where prostitution is illegal exacerbates this risk, as sex workers may be unable to seek help from law enforcement without risking their own arrest.

2. Exploitation and Coercion by Pimps: Pimps often exploit women through coercion, manipulation, and control. This can involve financial exploitation, where pimps take a significant portion, if not all, of the earnings. Pimps may also use emotional manipulation, threats, or violence to maintain control over the sex workers, forcing them to continue working in dangerous conditions.

3. Health Risks: Women in prostitution face significant health risks, including a higher likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. In situations where pimps exert control, they may also restrict access to healthcare or safe sex practices, further increasing these risks.

4. Psychological Trauma: The experience of being in prostitution, especially under coercive conditions, can lead to long-term psychological trauma. This can include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse issues, which can be compounded by the stigma attached to sex work.

5. Lack of Legal Protection: In many regions, the illegal status of prostitution puts sex workers at a disadvantage when it comes to seeking help from law enforcement. This makes them more vulnerable to abuse from pimps and clients, as they might fear legal repercussions for themselves if they report abuses.

6. Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities: Many women enter prostitution due to economic necessity, lack of employment opportunities, or as a result of human trafficking. Pimps often take advantage of these vulnerabilities to exploit and control them.

7. Isolation and Marginalization: Women in prostitution often face social isolation and marginalization, both from society at large and within their personal networks. This can make it more difficult to leave the industry and seek help, as they might lack the necessary support systems.

In summary, the dangers faced by women in prostitution are multifaceted, involving physical, psychological, and socio-economic risks. Pimps play a significant role in many of these dangers, often through exploitation and coercion. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes legal reform, social support systems, and measures to address the underlying socio-economic factors that lead women into prostitution.

[versionha]

"It was an era defined by hard men..." 😂

[robinsattahip]

How did prostitution ever exist before antibiotics? Birth control would have been another issue. Now, for most infections you take a few pills and forget it, back then an STD was a life-changing event.