Prostitutes Dodge City
The Notorious Cattle Town
Dodge City, Kansas, gained a notorious reputation in the Wild West. It was known as the wickedest city in the west.
This stemmed largely from its rowdy cattle town days. When the railroad arrived, Dodge City boomed. It became a major shipping point for cattle from Texas. This attracted cowboys, gamblers, saloon owners, and prostitutes. Business thrived catering to the Texas cattle trade.
Red Light District and Figures
Estimates varied, but prostitution was widespread. One report from the Ford County Globe suggested that of Dodge City’s roughly 700 residents at one point, 47 were prostitutes. Saloons, dance halls, and brothels lined the streets, especially south of the deadline
where lawlessness was tolerated. Famous figures were connected to this world. Wyatt Earp served as lawman in Dodge City. Evidence suggests he also had ties to prostitution, potentially acting as a pimp. Madams like Mattie Silks operated brothels there and in Denver. Well-known prostitutes included Timberline (Rose Vastine), known for her height, and Squirrel Tooth Alice. Alice even had a personal box with a squirrel carving.
Artifacts and Lasting Legacy
Artifacts from this era exist. Museums hold items like brothel tokens from establishments like the Long Branch Saloon. There are also controversial items like purported 1876 Licenses for Prostitution,
though their authenticity is debated. One such license, sometimes linked to Wyatt Earp, is considered a modern fake by sources like Snopes. The town’s wild character led to conflicts like the Dodge City War. Lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson were brought back to try and impose order on the chaos fueled by saloons and brothels. Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City preserves this history. It stands on the original site of the Boot Hill Cemetery and details the town’s transformation from a military outpost to a legendary, lawless cattle town. While known for its cowboys and gunfights, the significant presence of prostitution was a key element of Dodge City’s infamous past.
*TAGS* – brothel tokens, deadline district, Squirrel Tooth Alice
