Good Time Girls of the Pacific Northwest

by Jan Mackell Collins

As more and more pioneers braved the harsh, unforgiving conditions of moving West, prostitution grew and flourished within the mining camps, small towns, and cities of the nineteenth-century Pacific Northwest. Whether escaping a bad home life, lured by false advertising, or seeking to subsidize their income, thousands of women chose or were forced to enter an industry where they faced segregation and persecution, fines and jailing, and battled the other hazards of their profession. Some dreamed of escape through marriage or retirement, and some became infamous and even successful, but more often found relief only in death. An integral part of western history, the stories of these women continue to fascinate readers and captivate the minds of historians today.

Oregon, Alaska, and Washington State had their share of working girls and madams like Lou Graham and Klondike Kate who remain notorious celebrities in the annals of history, but Collins also includes the stories of lesser-known women whose roles in this illicit trade help shape our understanding of the American West.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Feminism

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2020

Reviews

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes into the economic weight and social importance of this sort of work, and treats the workers with respect and dignity. It’s interesting to know that most towns started off with a bar and a brothel or two.

[Lani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a pretty disappointing book that didn’t feel very well-researched or well-written. I had borrowed it from the library and got about 1/3 through before the loan ended and didn’t care enough to re-up.

I read the chapters about Seattle because I enjoyed bits of history about my neighborhood, but it felt like each chapter was just a collection of random anecdotes versus any kind of real narrative or even confirmed fact. I did appreciate that the women were treated as hard-working businesswomen who deserved respect rather than tired jokes.

It felt like a book written to be sold in a gift shop rather than anything with much thought put into it.

[Merideth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much information about the "working" women of the Pacific Northwest's gold rush. Their history is important and this book treats them with respect.

[Phil Machonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. I can't even recall how it wound up on my list but if you love historical books, particularly involving "off-the-beaten-path" history, this will be right up your alley. Jan Collins does a nice job describing many prominent "shady ladies" in various parts of the Northwest. The stories were short and never seemed lewd or judgy, just factual. Sometimes it can drag a bit as it really is just telling historical information about the various girls, but some of the tales are really fascinating and I found it to be a quick read.

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars but very worthwhile if you're interested.

[venturecrapitalism]

Fun little jaunt through the PNW at the turn of the century, told yearbook-style through different individuals’ lives. Love a peek into the daily lives of people who often go unrecorded in history.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, it's a really good book with lots of history on some things other than the painted ladies.

[Grim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book. I knew vaguely about our red-light history up in the PNW but this book included so much that I didn't know about! It's a lot of fun reading about places that I know or have been to. Sometimes the writing could be a bit confusing. For example I wasn't sure at times if the town I was reading about was in WA or OR. Overall though this was informative, fun and will make you look at certain parts of town a little differently.