THE (IN)COMPLETE HISTORY OF PORTLAND'S BROTHELS

PATREON: www.patreon.com/exploreoregon
INSTAGRAM: pdxfilmexplorer
FACEBOOK: exploringportland
TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@stevetheamateurhistorian
VIDEOS RELATED TO STORIES I COVER IN THIS ONE:
Emma Merlotin's Murder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHSnqWCMqN6AaZI
1920 Torso Murder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2lmWeabp6LbJI
Frankie Moore Murder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5WumqSngNOEgLM
Gong Fa Murder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ27k32lfMiXnaM
Lone Fir Cemetery Visit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnrNpKWkjpqWja8
This is something I have been playing with for a while in terms of putting together a video on it, not realizing it would end up being the first two-plus hour long documentary piece I have done on this channel. This is a fascinating subject to me and the available history in relation to it in the Portland area is meek compared to other places. After compiling as much information as I could find, knowing it was only a small part of the complete story, I began putting this piece together on the history of brothels in Portland.
In short, brothels are places where, historically, men would go to procure the services of prostitutes. Often times there would be several girls living in a house presided over by one woman, their Madam. The focus of this film is from the time period of 1870 to 1910. Certainly brothels existed outside of this time frame, but the history of brothels pre-1870 in Portland is next to nothing. Furthermore, post-1910 the structure of where sex workers lived and how they conducted their business began to change, making 1910 feel like a solid stopping point.
In this film I discuss when and where Portland's primary sites of brothels were (for example: the Tenderloin District in the 1880s), the lives at least some of these women lived, the tragic experiences some of them had, the criminality sometimes involved, the public/churches reactions to them and some of the city's most prominent Madams... and so much more. Since so much is lost or unknown, that's why I call this piece the (In)complete History of Portland's Brothels.
Enjoy.
P.S. No hating on sex workers in the comments!
0:00 Intro
4:45 Brothels 101
6:58 Portland Pre-1870
10:17 Young Workers
13:08 Ordinance 959
15:40 Nancy Boggs
21:01 The Tenderloin District
27:54 Churches and Moral Reform
31:09 Carrie Bradley
36:33 Tragedies
40:12 The Murder of Emma Merlotin
44:06 Brothel Relocation
45:35 A Night With Ezra Haskell
51:26 More Tragedies
53:49 Brothels of the 1890s
57:52 The 1895 Moral Wave
1:01:30 Male Responsibility
1:03:26 Life in the North End
1:10:17 Chinese Brothels
1:12:44 Police and Government Collusion
1:22:47 Ongoing Fears
1:25:44 Liverpool Liz
1:33:56 1900s Brothels
1:38:49 The End of an Era
1:51:26 Why This History Matters

[@melodymac1]

Hey I’m not sure how to get this to you but I have a binder of articles chock full of Portland history out of an old urban studies class at PSU. I’m talking stuff you can only find on microfiche, as most if it has not been digitized. It’s a treasure trove of stories from the 1800s- the late 1990s that you could tap into for your channel. Happy to pass along as your content is amazing and many of these stories would otherwise go untold.

[@nancysaso4380]

I would love to read these stories!

[@melodymac1]

They are pretty fascinating! And would definitely come to life in Steve’s hands! I’d be happy to share but not sure how to coordinate!

[@pollyannaforever8338]

steve, you have a great talent! you are a storyteller. keep it up! i just subscribed and looking forward to watching all of your work!

[@MutethatBozo]

My grandfather used to tell me about how "pegboarding" was a pretty common thing in Portland, in the 1930's and 40's. It basically involved a sex worker selling spots on a card that had a star or other mark under one tab, and guys would buy a spot on the board. The winner got a "date" with the gal. It was a pretty common thing in the bars around town, apparently. My grandfather recalled one gal nicknamed "Pegboard Annie", who was particularly notorious and prolific, back in the day... Thanks again for the content, and rock on. :)

[@michellelangdon5134]

Wow, that's fascinating! That's great that your grandfather shared that with you. My grandmother told me that my great-grandfather broke into a pharmacy to steal medication for her brother because they couldn't afford to buy it. So many times we only hear the "politically correct" parts of family history and the rest is lost forever. I'd rather hear about Pegboard Annie than Annie's apple pie any day! 😊

[@michellelangdon5134]

Prostitution is the oldest profession. Most brothels were run by women and they're safer than hustling on the streets. As much as we would all like to believe that only men of ill repute visited brothels, there were an awful lot of them in Portland back in the day and I really doubt they stayed in business relying only on out of town clientele. So I'm sure the butcher, the baker, the hand shaker sitting next to you at church probably paid them a visit from time to time. People who are bothered by the subject matter of this video need to come to the realization that "the good 'ole days" weren't really better than they are now and they should stop trying to sugar coat history. It's just the same shit, different generation. This was an excellent documentary! Well researched and presented. And a touch of Steve's great sense of humor sprinkled in from time to time too!😊

[@montananerd8244]

It can't be the oldest ...this saying always bewilders me a tiiiiny bit. johns need income to pay, so it's gotta be an early profession, but it can't be the earliest lol...

[@nancysaso4380]

Great Video Steve!Thanks

[@montananerd8244]

I work in a museum in the West so everyone wants to know about brothels. Weve done some additional research but our volunteer working on early death records has gathered a lot of research on the topic simply by choosing that topic. It's very sobering to realize how many young womendied from violence, addiction, STDs, and suicide. Takes the Miss Kitty vibe out of the room. The most poignant display we had on the topic was the grouping of 3 women of 1900 in our town: one was an addict in constant pain who relied on handouts and odd jobs (you know this one...she's *the* Calamity Jane), one was a locally famous brothel owner who was once a working girl & became rich but despised herself, and one was a Black civil rights leader and local domestic goddess who is now getting her due, but led a mostly happy life without being a legend. She knew both other women, she helped Martha (Calamity's real name) out quite a bit, quietly avoided the madam and never shamed her publicly. If youre seeking fame in life, it may not be worth the pain...that's lesson #2...

[@TheKeeperMadz]

Always a great day I'd we get a video from you.

[@miapdx503]

This is fascinating. You've really done some digging and gone deep! Really good research, you paint a vivid picture and bring us back to old Portland...and not recycling the same shanghai tunnel stories we all know. You found fresh information, and came with the receipts! Well done sir. 🌹

[@deanrivera8016]

Steve, you do an awesome job of covering Portlands history especially the many dark unknown episodes, and as always your style of putting out these stories is captivating and a big reason why I follow you and truly appreciate what you bring us all Thanks man!

[@ChristinaClark-pv9kd]

TY so much Steve, for all your dedication. These are just amazing, particularly for a PDX Newbie , so cool🌹

[@enlightenedhummingbird4764]

Thank you for addressing that nothing has really changed when it comes to the treatment of sex workers, and women in general. My father tried to "change history" so many times. He was abusive to his wives and kids, and any time I've tried to discuss things that took place, he would find a way to flip it onto someone else, or deny; he will never admit to it, or apologize. It is not open for discussion. We must pretend it never happened. It's like some weird mental disease. Example: When I was 5-yo, I heard him and my mother fighting. I went to see what was going on. When I peaked around the corner, I saw my mother on the floor, and he was sitting on her with a butcher knife to her throat. They did not see me. I ran upstairs. When it came up later in life, he accused me of making it up, since there were no other witnesses to the event. No other witnesses means it did not happen. And we are from Portland. Cultural...? My first husband, also from Portland, was the same way toward women. Second hubby NOT from Portland and soooo different (better.) I'm glad to know good Portland men exist. 🌷

[@kellygannon6169]

Well done! I really enjoy your videos..thank you!! Thoughtfulness with sharing insight!!

[@ابراهيم_محمد_الازهر]

They should bring this back

[@enlightenedhummingbird4764]

Well done. I love your videos!!

[@mahjie9903]

Absolutely fascinating. Love your voice👍

[@chadparsons1972]

Sad history of Portland but also very interesting that should not be forgotten. Great Work Steve its always a pleasure to see you're work you really do a wonderful job at keeping history alive.

[@Raul-bt3bt]

Leave them alone!

[@anitaboneshow]

Ooh, this explains why going to a train station alone as a woman or girl - or even "gadding about" downtown without a male family member - was considered suspect and damaging to their reputations before prostitution was widely outlawed. Citizens would have suspected they were recruiting customers for a brothel even when modestly dressed and not sex workers themselves. "Respectable" women shopping alone in town made a concerted effort to appear businesslike, determinedly on-task, did not hesitate or dawdle along the way, and certainly never acknowledged men on the street or in stores. If he were a well-known family friend or relative, speaking to him in public was acceptable, but one always walked with him. Standing and talking to a man not one's husband in public resembled solicitation. It wasn't until after circa 1915, when most cities banned brothels, that shopping became an acceptable pastime for women, instead of a chore borne out of necessity. Department stores in large cities became a safe haven for women shoppers as well. Before the ban, many stores offered home deliveries, even easier to arrange if one had a telephone at home, or access to one.

[@glass_gravy]

💯

[@lisad476]

👍👍