Brothels and Prostitution in the American West

Abstract

This chapter reviews studies of the archaeology of brothels and prostitution in the American West. Early studies considered the material culture of the brothel and the saloon, partner institutions in mining towns. Archaeological data from recent excavations in Sandpoint, Idaho; Prescott, Arizona; Ouray, Colorado; Aliso Street, in Los Angeles, California; and Fargo, North Dakota; provide a wealth of data on the lives of women working in brothels. The chapter concludes with a consideration of how archaeological data and women’s first-person narratives help to reveal the lives and experiences of women in brothels of the West.