Red Light Women of the Rocky Mountains

by Jan MacKell

Throughout the development of the American West, prostitution flourished within the mining camps, small towns, and cities of the 19th-century Rocky Mountains. This book provides a history of the 'red... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826346103
• ISBN13: 9780826346100
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Rocky Mountains' Soiled Doves

This perspective on prostitution in the west is fascinating. Thoroughly researched and well documented,this view of the "shady ladies" is both sad and humorous. One minute a lump is in your throat and the next minute you are guffawing! These women are often overlooked in the annals of western history. As curator of the Cripple Creek Museums in Colorado, Jan MacKell lives amidst the stories and few remnants of these women. It seems as though she lived "back in the day" of the mining boomtowns. She has traveled throughout the west to gain an understanding of these prostitutes as the characters and people they were. While learning about the men of the west and their occupations, one doesn't need to look far in finding a plethora of information. Women's studies of the west, especially of the "red light" occupation, are much more difficult to find. I appreciate all of the research the author has done to put so much information in one book. Many of these women did not knowingly choose this profession. If their husbands had died or abandoned them, they had few choices of female "appropriate" occupations. Cooking and laundry (when work was available) did not bring in much money to support them, especially if they had children. Some of them were sold by their parents to sex slave traders. Many prostitutes were deceived by unscrupulous money grubbers. Through generous donations, these women left a legacy of schools, hospitals, and churches. They donated coats to children and unfortunate miners. Many are not aware that they nursed people through epidemics when "respectable women" would not go near. Recognition of these women is long overdue.

Prostitutes and prostitution on the American frontier

Jan MacKell has done it again; she has written a fine book on old west prostitution. Her first book, BROTHELS, BORDELLOS, & BAD GIRLS: PROSTITUTION IN COLORADO 1860-1930 was an outstanding addition to American pioneer prostitute literature. She has expanded her horizons with this new book and focuses on the profession of prostitution as it operated in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. MacKell addresses the profession of prostitution, prostitutes and madams, and the societal reaction to prostitution. The author's writing style is smooth and comfortable. The material she presents is well-documented and she provides numerous endnotes. It is clear that she has spent years gathering information through extensive travel and research. This is a big plus for researchers such as myself. The text is liberally illustrated with photographs, some which have never been published. She uses many primary sources to introduce the reader to numerous prostitutes and madams. Many of these women have not been discussed in contemporary prostitute literature. This book is not a rehash of other books; rather, MacKell presents new information on an old topic. This text will serve well as a basic reference book. It will hopefully make its way into libraries across the United States. This book will provide material for those writing articles, books, theses, and dissertations. Although well-documented, the book is no dry academic publication. MacKell is a good storyteller with rich information. She brings the ladies to life and explains the conditions in which they worked, telling their stories in a very readable fashion. This book will appeal to those who wish to know what prostitution was like back then. RED LIGHT WOMEN OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS is a must read for anyone interested in pioneer prostitution on the American frontier.