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Sunset Lodge in Georgetown: The Story of a Madam
The true, "carefully researched" story of a Depression-era brothel in a Bible Belt town that thrived for over three decades and the woman who owned it (Lee Gordon Brockington, author of Pawleys A Century of History and Photographs).
Hazel Weisse moved to Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1936, and opened a brothel three miles south of Front Street. Aside from objections by a few ministers, most people in town looked the other way--and the business remained open for thirty-three years, until Weisse's retirement in 1969.
She was well known, making appearances every week at the stores on Front Street--and in the newspaper as a donor to charitable causes. She sent her "sporting ladies" to town for their weekly doctor visits, banking deposits, and shopping trips. But, aware of the conservative community around her business, she did not allow her employees free access to Georgetown. She approved their choices of clothes to wear in public, warned them not to look at men on the sidewalk, and forbade soliciting. Based on research, interviews, and local lore, David Gregg Hodges attempts the unravel the history behind a place spoken of in whispers--and reveals the people and stories behind the Sunset Lodge.
Hazel Weisse moved to Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1936, and opened a brothel three miles south of Front Street. Aside from objections by a few ministers, most people in town looked the other way--and the business remained open for thirty-three years, until Weisse's retirement in 1969.
She was well known, making appearances every week at the stores on Front Street--and in the newspaper as a donor to charitable causes. She sent her "sporting ladies" to town for their weekly doctor visits, banking deposits, and shopping trips. But, aware of the conservative community around her business, she did not allow her employees free access to Georgetown. She approved their choices of clothes to wear in public, warned them not to look at men on the sidewalk, and forbade soliciting. Based on research, interviews, and local lore, David Gregg Hodges attempts the unravel the history behind a place spoken of in whispers--and reveals the people and stories behind the Sunset Lodge.
- GenresHistory
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2019
64 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 16, 2022
About half way through it. In the introduction, the author pretty much states that he apparently made up a lot of what he wrote or the people who provided information may have made it up.
I lived in Georgetown at the time Sunset was open and closed and know a fair amount about it. Never visited as such, although did make a delivery to back door once.
I can verify that it was well known in South Carolina and up and down US 17 (main highway between North and Florida). Book refers to "Coastal Road," but it was actually US 17.
The author keeps referring to businesses on Front St. which is fairly accurate, but I know for a fact that the madam and women also used businesses at other locations. One business is totally misidentified.
Overall, it gets to be kind of boring because he has these little 1-3 page vignettes with parts where he says the same things over and over again.
Book was in serious need of editing.
Interesting for those who lived in the area or visited Sunset, but probably not to others.
I lived in Georgetown at the time Sunset was open and closed and know a fair amount about it. Never visited as such, although did make a delivery to back door once.
I can verify that it was well known in South Carolina and up and down US 17 (main highway between North and Florida). Book refers to "Coastal Road," but it was actually US 17.
The author keeps referring to businesses on Front St. which is fairly accurate, but I know for a fact that the madam and women also used businesses at other locations. One business is totally misidentified.
Overall, it gets to be kind of boring because he has these little 1-3 page vignettes with parts where he says the same things over and over again.
Book was in serious need of editing.
Interesting for those who lived in the area or visited Sunset, but probably not to others.
May 29, 2023
Interesting history
I found this book to be quite interesting. I lived on the SC coast for many years and know of many of the locations mentioned. The last paragraph of the book bothered me. Why write a book about prostitution and then denounce it in the last sentence ?? Very hypocritical indeed. I was disappointed in the author.
I found this book to be quite interesting. I lived on the SC coast for many years and know of many of the locations mentioned. The last paragraph of the book bothered me. Why write a book about prostitution and then denounce it in the last sentence ?? Very hypocritical indeed. I was disappointed in the author.
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August 6, 2021I have to agree with Mandy-it's historical-I guess-
it was not what I was expecting. There are plenty of good reads on the shelf about South Carolina and this is not one of them.
it was not what I was expecting. There are plenty of good reads on the shelf about South Carolina and this is not one of them.
August 27, 2021
I'm betting these stories have more life when told in person. It was an interesting perspective on life in Georgetown, SC, in general
October 14, 2019
The Sunset Lodge in Georgetown South Carolina has a fascinating history. How much of that history is true I don’t think any of us will every really know🙂
I really wanted this to be a great book to read. The story itself is good and the parts written by the author , such as historical facts and interpretations are well written and interesting. Sadly, the layout of the book was repetitive and boring. I understand where the author was going with his narrative by the retelling of local stories but it just doesn’t work for me. That said, it is local history and is worth a quick read. The very beginning will hold your attention and worth reading but sadly, it loses ground after the first few stories.
I really wanted this to be a great book to read. The story itself is good and the parts written by the author , such as historical facts and interpretations are well written and interesting. Sadly, the layout of the book was repetitive and boring. I understand where the author was going with his narrative by the retelling of local stories but it just doesn’t work for me. That said, it is local history and is worth a quick read. The very beginning will hold your attention and worth reading but sadly, it loses ground after the first few stories.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews