Minneapolis Madams: The Lost History of Prostitution on the Riverfront

by Penny A. Petersen

Sex, money, and politics—no, it’s not a thriller novel. Minneapolis Madams is the surprising and riveting account of the Minneapolis red-light district and the powerful madams who ran it. Penny Petersen brings to life this nearly forgotten chapter of Minneapolis history, tracing the story of how these “houses of ill fame” rose to prominence in the late nineteenth century and then were finally shut down in the early twentieth century.

In their heyday Minneapolis brothels were not only open for business but constituted a substantial economic and political force in the city. Women of independent means, madams built custom bordellos to suit their tastes and exerted influence over leading figures and politicians. Petersen digs deep into city archives, period newspapers, and other primary sources to illuminate the Minneapolis sex trade and its opponents, bringing into focus the ideologies and economic concerns that shaped the lives of prostitutes, the men who used their services, and the social-purity reformers who sought to eradicate their trade altogether. Usually written off as deviants, madams were actually crucial components of a larger system of social control and regulation. These entrepreneurial women bought real estate, hired well-known architects and interior decorators to design their bordellos, and played an important part in the politics of the developing city.

Petersen argues that we cannot understand Minneapolis unless we can grasp the scope and significance of its sex trade. She also provides intriguing glimpses into racial interactions within the vice economy, investigating an African American madam who possibly married into one of the city’s most prestigious families. Fascinating and rigorously researched, Minneapolis Madams is a true detective story and a key resource for anyone interested in the history of women, sexuality, and urban life in Minneapolis.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Book Club

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as it was nominated for the 2104 Minnesota Book Award in the category of Minnesota. For being nonfiction, I found this to be a very quick read. Not to say that there isn't a fair amount of information in it. It details the rise and fall of the organized sex trade in Minneapolis and the effects it had on the city. It was interesting to not how the reformation movements tended to cause more trouble than they resolved when they tried to quash the "Social Evil." The author tends to bias towards her own, modern opinions on the subject matter. Particularly how prostitution itself was more a symptom of a grossly imbalanced societal role difference between men and women. That said, I actually agree with her and would even go further to argue that the secondary symptom of the imbalance, sexual repression, had just as much to do with the trade as the base cause. She did present some correlating evidence like how reformer groups composed mostly of woman such as the Sisterhood of Bethany suffered from the male superiority complex of the time. Of course, that whole argument starts going outside the scope of the book past that point.

The book was a fascinating look at a segment of history largely forgotten due to society's desire to not acknowledge it. I was a bit surprised how it was actually able to unearth a number of instances where history had been rewritten to ignore this facet. Good book overall but obviously not suitable to all mentalities.

[Michelle Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, and I own it, so I can read it again!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several years ago I attended a lecture by Petersen and received a copy of this book. Like "Sin and the Second City," Petersen dives into the crusade against the sex trade at the turn of the century and spotlights a few of the madams that helped shape the financial and cultural landscape of the city.

Unlike "Sin," which had rich detail about the Everleigh sisters, Petersen had to construct a narrative from property records and media reports. This gave the book a somewhat academic feel, but also allowed it to not be hung up on cutesy details that detract from the fact that racism and sexism were the true culprits of moral destruction.

I appreciate that Petersen went there -- calling out the double-standards that prevented women from securing strong and stable employment and then penalizing those that find a way to be successful. All the while their male counterparts and clientele find themselves off the hook.

Even though this is a quick read, it is very niche and probably wouldn't appeal to those without deep familiarity of downtown Minneapolis.

I lived in what was formerly the "entertainment district" for almost six years, so it was easy for me to follow along with the maps, and picture the locations being discussed. If you can't do the same, this probably would be a dry read.

[Sara Jordahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last two chapters is what really brought the rating of this book up. There is a lot of great history, however I wish it was written as more of a factual story rather then just straight facts. If that makes sense. The last two chapters were really interesting and brought the book to life more. I also think I would have been more interested had I known my way around the Minneapolis area better.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, but not at all well organized - it jumped back and forth way too much to read well and repeated itself overly.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating to read. i only wish there were more brothel buildings left in minneapolis that could be seen.

[Marjorie Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dark underbelly of the Twin Cities

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author tells the history of the brothels or bagnios in Minneapolis, on both sides of the Mississippi near St. Anthony Falls. Good read especially if you're interested in Minnesota history.

[Scout Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 / 5

interesting subject matter, but the writing style felt like reading a thesis or an essay of the madames of minneapolis. boring but pushed through it for the cool minnesota history

[Nichellebottko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read nonfiction cover to cover the way i read this. Engaging and informative, the rise and fall of Minneapolis red light districts.

[anna b · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot speak highly enough of this book! The topic of the sex industry itself is of interest to me, but this historian does a beautiful job of presenting a broad account of Minneapolis' social, cultural, economic and political history through the lens of the rises and falls of the bordello and red light district. If you are interested in local/urban development history I think this is an important piece. Intersections of industrial development, settler migration, religious conservatism, political corruption, racism, sexism, money and power... Oh and the law. And seriously badass women. I'll probably read it again and lend my copy to many friends.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adequate account of a hidden part of Minneapolis's past. The writing was a bit dry and far too much time was invested on who owned what specific property where and very little background is given on the people who fought to bring down the MN sex trade. And rarely do you become interested in the madams themselves, except for Ida Dorsey, who needs a movie made about her life. But the fact that I got to use the phrase "MN sex trade" makes this worth while. I can't imagine this being anymore than local interest, seeing as a lot of the fun is derived from, "Hey! I know that block! I've seen that building!" It could've used a bit more color, a bit more enthusiasm and emotion, but still a fun jaunt through MN history.

[Becky Loader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as interesting as I thought it would be. The author gets bogged down in where all the brothels were located. He does make a few good points about how women at the turn of the century did not have many choices for supporting themselves. Jobs were scarce, and pay for women was usually less than that for men, even when they did the same job. "Housekeeping" was the main choice for women, as this was seen as their role in the world. Domestic service was better than prostitution, but wages were desperately low.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, and quite funny at times with all the old quotes about notions of morality and vice and "fallen women." It's also fairly well-written and easy to read. Some really fascinating stories too--like the one about the relationship between one of the Pillsbury family members and a black brothel madam.

So yeah, I really enjoyed this book. The author does focus a little too much on the physical geography of the brothels, but if you're interested in Minnesota history, this is an excellent book to read.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

•
I am betting that this was first a masters or doctoral thesis before it was a published book…it just reads like that. I learned new bits of "up to early 1900s" and largely erased Minnesota/Twin-Cities history…that learning located on the "seamier" side.

Bottom Lines (for me):
(1) There is nothing new under the sun (or out of its shine).
(2) Where there's "vice" and where there's will, there are ways…
•

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in Minneapolis I had no idea of this part of its colorful history. It's too bad there is such little information available. With the information Peterson dug up, she made a fascinating account of the riverfront prostitution, but sadly, this book brought up as many questions as it answered.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book I heavy on descriptions of who owned what property and the campaign against organized prostitution. It is light on what I was hoping for which was the stories of the women themselves. I suppose this is because there isn't much in the way of information about the women but I was nonetheless a bit disappointed.

Dry and frankly, not even a little racy, I lost interest.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting look into a history that is often covered up. The book was a bit dry at times while the author described politics of the time, and I certainly believe that my knowledge of the specific locations mentioned enhanced my interest. A good read for anyone looking to have a more informed wandering of the city.

[Geenyas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly well-researched and for the most part well written, this book will be of particular interest to history buffs who live in or are familiar with Minneapolis and the various neighborhoods cited.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history of the days of tolerated prostitution in Minneapolis. For a group of women little is known about, Penny does the thorough research to make them real again.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

She did a pretty decent job with minimal primary source material. It's always interesting to hear the voices of those who have been left out of mainstream history.

[LouAnn Hoppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative history of Minneapolis. Explains why the city is as it is today.

[Chloe Watson]

I'm not gonna do a review of this because I had to read it for class and I don't want to write anything else about it but it's an interesting nonfiction book if you're into that.