Silver City's Red Light District on Jordan Street

Jordan Street was the other major street in Silver City. It was known as the Red Light District, which once bustled with activity day and night. A mix of saloons, brothels, and an assortment of other establishments once stood on either side of Jordan Street between Avalanche Street and Chinatown. Little remains of this once vibrant and busy section of town. Higher end brothels and saloons were located closer to the hotel and the commercial district. The area also was home to several livery stables, the stage stop and a printing business. Maps from the time show that several Washington Street saloons connected with brothels with some sharing common walls. 

Silver City resident Maria Clapper’s occupation was listed as prostitute on the 1880 Census. She was buried in the Silver City Cemetery, but her will and probate stated her wishes were to be buried on a hill overlooking San Francisco. Two months later she was interred and her body reburied as she asked. Her estate paid for her burial and the rest of her funds were sent to her daughter in New York. 

The women who worked in these establishments rarely left the Red Light District. Town children ran errands for the ladies and store clerks delivered goods. Dancehall girls, hurdy gurdy girls, and “pretty waiters” were also employed in the District to increase business and liquor sales. These women were paid to dance with men, serve drinks, and socialize, but not to  perform other duties. Many of these women married miners or other men in the area. One of the most infamous madams, Lea Perry, ran a female boarding house and was well-known in the area. When she died, she was buried outside the Ruby City Cemetery, but as close to the fence as possible. Her funeral was widely attended, but the social norms at that time said she had to be buried outside the cemetery gates.