Prostitutes Butte-Silver Bow (Balance)

The Dumas Brothel in Butte, Montana, stands as a significant relic of the American West’s mining boom era. Founded in 1890 by French-Canadian brothers Joseph and Arthur Nadeau, it operated continuously as a house of prostitution for nearly a century.

It finally closed its doors in 1982. This made it the last operating brothel in Butte. Today, the building no longer functions as a brothel. It has been preserved and transformed into the Dumas Brothel Museum and an antique shop.

From Brothel to Museum

The museum offers public tours year-round. Located at 45 East Mercury Street, Butte, MT 59701, it provides a glimpse into Butte’s notorious red-light district history. Visitors can see the preserved interiors and learn about the lives within its walls. Ruby Garrett, the woman running the Dumas when it closed in 1982, died in 2012 at age 94. Her passing marked the end of an era for the city.

Butte’s Red-Light Legacy

Butte’s rapid growth during the copper mining boom created a large, diverse population and a thriving, albeit often dangerous, underground economy. Prostitution was a prominent feature of this landscape. Areas like Pleasant Alley, nicknamed “Venus Alley,” were infamous hubs where many women worked. By the 1890s, these alleys were known as the “dingy backyards” of Butte’s sprawling red-light district. The Dumas was the most famous establishment, but many others existed.

Butte’s history, including its red-light districts and labor struggles, is complex. Efforts like the Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark aim to preserve this heritage. The Dumas Museum is a key part of that preservation. Information about the museum can be found at their website: http://dumasbrothel.com or by phone: (406) 351-9922.

*TAGS* – Venus Alley history, Dumas Brothel Museum, Butte red-light preservation