That was the case for most of the prostitutes working in the brothels over the years , although sex trafficking did occur , both in the early days of prostitution and even in the later years . Sex trafficking is a topic the brothel tours address , as it is a scourge that continues today throughout the world and is one of the many layers of the Deadwood Brothel story .
At the top of the list of the worst of the worst traffickers was Al Swearingen , made famous in the HBO series “ Deadwood .” Swearingen owned and operated the Gem Theater in Deadwood , now home to the Mineral Palace . Perhaps not ironically , the Mineral Palace is almost directly across the street from the Deadwood Brothel tours location , which is at 610 Main Street . In “ Deadwood ,” Swearingen would sometimes go to orphanages to find his prostitutes , many of whom were in their early teens . He was known by historians to trick women into coming to work for him by telling them they could dance in his saloon , only to later force them into prostitution .
Swearingen didn ’ t give his prostitutes a bedroom , or even a bed . They were given what was known as a “ crib ,” a small box put on planks with a wash pan . It was here the women would entertain their men , and even sleep . This history is learned in the second stop of the tour , which is the room that shows brothels from 1876-1900 .
The entire tour takes guests from room to room in the former brothel , with different rooms for different time periods . The tour actually starts out in the parlor of the brothel , which is themed for the end of the brothel ’ s run . It was here men would sit , talk and have a drink ( the madams even charged for the drinks ) while they awaited the lineup of the girls from which they could choose . Some men already knew what woman they wanted . Others observed the lineup before deciding whom they wanted to spend time with . Some men didn ’ t even come for sex — they simply wanted someone to talk to or hold .
The tour next goes to the 1876-1900 room , where visitors will hear the story of people like Swearengen , before making their way to the 1920s room . The Shasta Rooms building was constructed in 1903 , and didn ’ t start out as a brothel . There were people who ran legal businesses downstairs , but eventually started to rent the upstairs to madams , and brothels — which to be clear were never legal in Deadwood — had their start in Deadwood . The women knew they had something men wanted , and would pay for . It ’ s not called “ the world ’ s oldest profession ” for no reason .
In the 1920 room guests hear the story of Edward Senn , who owned a newspaper in Deadwood . Senn was a straight-laced man who abhorred alcohol and prostitution , and railed against both in his newspaper . To say he wasn ’ t well liked is an understatement .
“ Some guys went into his business and beat him up . They destroyed his printing press and started his business on fire to send a message ,” Speirs said .
Eventually Senn was appointed to oversee prohibition in South Dakota , removing him from the Deadwood area , much to the delight of many .
The 1920s room is also home to the only real mattress on the tour . It is the room for photo opportunities , where guests can sit or lay on the bed with the Deadwood Brothels sign behind them .
The 1940s and ’ 50s room is home to one of the more interesting displays in the entire tour — a reprint of a Deadwood telephone book directory that gives the addresses and phone numbers of six brothels — which , again , were illegal . This was the era of World War II , when Homestake Gold Mine had its gold mining paused so production could ramp up with items to assist in the war effort . While men went off to fight the women took on jobs traditionally done by men to aid in that effort . When the men came back from the war the women were displaced , which fed more into the sex work lifestyle .
For visitors to the brothel and now the brothel tours things started in the parlor . It was here men would enjoy a drink while they waited for the lineup of women to choose from .
15