Exploring Bozeman’s risque history

The downtown of Bozeman's past has evolved beyond recognition. 151 years ago, the city was home to a different type of night life. The Extreme History Project took me on a walking tour of Bozeman’s Red-Light district. This district stood just north of Main Street and spanned from Bozeman Ave to Rouse Ave. The tour started at the Extreme History Project’s headquarters, located at 234 East Mendenhall Street. From around 1870 to 1918, this building was one of many legal brothels in Bozeman. Joseph Lindley (think Lindley Park), and Nelson Story (think Story Mansion) built this building in an effort to attract businessmen to the town and grow Bozeman’s economy.

One of the most notable historical figures mentioned in the tour was Libby Woods who moved to Bozeman around 1870 when she was about 18 years old. She worked in the Brothel that Lindley and Story owned, making around $7 – $10 a week until she was able to build her own brothel in the area that is now the parking lot behind the Pour House.

Besides the 234 E Mendenhall building, another historic brothel still stands right behind Rocking “R” Bar in a brick building that most likely housed Chinese sex workers.

Life was extremely rough for the women working in these brothels. They were subject to terrible treatment such as abuse and murder. There are reports of women being killed as well as dying from diseases, most likely associated with their work. However, sex work granted women the option to support themselves without having to marry, and some were able to make a decent living. 

It was extremely different than a usual history tour due to its taboo topic and the illuminating  information from the tour guides. 

You can find dates for this tour and others like it at https://extremehistoryproject.org/.