Selling Sex in the Silver Valley: A Business Doing Pleasure

by Heather Branstetter

Once the largest silver producer in the world, Wallace became notorious for labor uprisings, hard drinking, gambling and prostitution. As late as 1991, illegal brothels openly flourished because locals believed that sex work prevented rape and bolstered the economy, so long as it was regulated and confined to a particular area of town. The madams enjoyed unprecedented status as influential businesswomen, community leaders and philanthropists, while elsewhere a growing aversion to the sex trade drove red-light districts underground. Dr. Heather Branstetter's research features previously unpublished archival materials and oral histories as she relates the intimate details of this unlikely story.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2017

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the little town of Wallace, Idaho, where there were no sex crimes for 100 years, if you don't count the flourishing brothels that were a big part of the community and, many believed, were responsible for making it safe for women to walk the streets at night. Wallace was in the heart of prosperous silver mines, and as a result there were many single men in town. I was interested because I have a couple of friends who grew up there. Wallace was one of the last of the wild west towns where drinking, gambling, and prostitution were readily available and enjoyed protection from the law enforcement establishment. The last brothel closed in 1991, largely because of the fear of AIDS and too much attention from the FBI. The wiser madams, who had been pillars of the community, buying band uniforms, groceries for the poor, and a new police car when one was needed because the previous one was rolled and totaled. It sounds like a lovely small community of about 4000 and a great place to grow up. If you like the old John Wayne westerns, you'll probably enjoy this book.

[Jeri Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book mostly focuses on the history of prostitution in Wallace rather than the Silver Valley in general. As such, it creates a picture of my hometown that does its infamous past justice. The author pulls together an impressive body of research to introduce the reader to a western town unlike any other. Only someone who grew up in Wallace can perhaps relate to the way such an eccentric place permeates the core of one's being. The author points out in the preface that the first part of the book is more of a traditional history and the last two parts are more a collection of oral histories without much further analysis. This is indeed accurate, though I did find myself wanting more discussion of how "negotiated values" come into play regarding the the past, present, and future of the town. These societal implications could have been further explored in a fourth part of the book, or perhaps a follow-up book could provide more commentary on how the presence of prostitution shapes identity development at various levels. All in all, this book won't disappoint anyone who is curious about Wallace.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd learn more about Wallace, Idaho and it's semi-legal prostitution than I did. It was interesting reading many of the first hand accounts, especially the maids, but I was missing the accounts of the women who worked in the houses.

It seemed like the agenda of the book was selling people on the idea of decriminalizing prostitution (which I agree with already), however it seems hard to agree with that point without hearing from the women who actually worked there. Is it really as good an idea as it seems? Were they really treated as well as they said? Were they there because they wanted to be? All of these questions were kind of left unanswered.

We do walk away with how amazing the Madams were, and how much they helped the community.

As I live in what I think is the only state with legalized prostitution, I am fascinated by those that choose the profession. While ours is way out away from big cities, so it's hard to determine its effect on the problems within the city where it's illegal, these brothels were in a thriving city.

It was still interesting, though a little repetitive. I was just hoping for a little more.

[Sydney Bollinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I picked this book up while at my local bookstore.

Though the writing is fairly academic, the author does such a great job of rounding out all of this research and making it palatable for a general audience. I enjoyed learning more about this town two hours from where I'm living.

Definitely would recommend for anyone interested in learning about sex work or the economies of mining towns. I find myself drawn to books about mining communities while living in the West and think books like Selling Sex in the Silver Valley allow me to have a better understanding of the history of this place.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about the history of Wallace Idaho. Wallace was known for it's silver mines and the sex trade back in the day. The book shares alot of first hand stories from the local people who lived through it all. It also shares alot of photographs and newspaper articles which is interesting to see the old write ups and advertisements.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I received this book I was excited. A serious book about sex work.

Now it simply looks like a waste of time, money and paper.

A shallow work of vague documentation. The author seems to believe that bad things arise from prostitution and focuses on just moderating the extremes of the documents Branstetter read. To make things worse, the writing style is bland. And the information is rather flimsy, apart from the prostitutes and a few men directly involved with them, everybody else is "the government", "the council", "the reformists". Why some local law was voted. Because "the reformists" pleaded and "the council" voted. And that is about all.

[Alex Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

While historians have written extensively on nineteenth century prostitution in the American West, twentieth century prostitution remains largely unexplored. Heather Branstetter’s Selling Sex in the Silver Valley: A Business Doing Pleasure is a local social history focused on the sex trade in Wallace, Idaho from the town’s incorporation in 1884 through the early 1990s. Branstetter relies heavily on original research including regional newspapers, government reports, and oral histories that she conducted with people involved in the operation of the brothels. The book’s central argument is that locals in Wallace ignored state and federal regulations against prostitution, continuing to openly support the brothels operation and resist investigations. Branstetter builds a detailed narrative of madams that worked at the brothels within Wallace and details about the lives and upbringing of women who worked in the brothels. The brothels remained open with loggers, miners, and servicemen traveling along interstate 90 as their clients. The book focuses extensively on the operation of multiple brothels in Wallace in the 1970s and 1980s, after the state of Idaho passed a law banning prostitution. While community narratives suggested that the brothels shut down because of rumored federal raids, her oral histories found that fears surrounding the AIDS Epidemic led to the brothel closures. By providing a detailed micro-history on a local community’s relationship with prostitution, Selling Sex in the Silver Valley primary contributions surround its details on twentieth-century prostitution in the United States.

[Abby Barrows Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After visiting the Oasis Bordello museum in Wallace, Idaho, I picked up this book to learn more. I was even more excited when I learned the author got her PhD at UNC Chapel Hill. This is a history of the brothels that rose up in the mining valley. This gave me insight into the culture of the west as well as an interesting case study of decriminalization of prostitution in the US in an area other than Nevada. I really learned a lot from this book. I would definitely recommend!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I am not mistaken, this is actually the author's Doctorate dissertation. Very well researched, as I am sure only an insider could have arranged. Small town, people trust their own, regardless of generation. I knew nothing about Wallace Idaho prior to finding this book in a small independent bookstore. What I found is a town and people with a rich complex history. If you enjoy reading and learning history, this is a must.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, well-researched book covering a part of North Idaho history I knew nothing about. Only a few spots where if I'd been the editor, I would have suggested changes (and picky as I am, that's saying something).

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent historical research and analysis. The only thing missing was the words of the sex workers themselves, which I think the author did try to find. A difficult read at times that re-contextualizes the western United States and their love affair with libertarianism.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently visited Wallace and bought this book there. Fascinating history to learn about.
Taylor Sheridan needs to create a show around this!!
Book is kind of oddly written - like it didn't have an editor? Very repetitive.

[Degan Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting social history of the working ladies of Wallace. I picked up the book on a road trip through town and it is very comprehensive.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well researched. Fantastic read.