Pikes Peak Historical Societies Chautauquaat 38874 US Hwy 24

Soiled Doves: The Working Women of Colorado’s Boom Days is the topic of the October Chautauqua, presented by Pikes Peak Historical Society (PPHS). Prostitution in the Old West was widespread. In every mining camp, railroad stop, trading outpost, boom town, or military fort, a lonely man looking for love could find a woman willing to tend to his needs… for a price. The stories of the often-forgotten women who came out to the Wild West inspired Julie Blanda, and avid history enthusiast, to create her Soiled Doves presentation. Blanda enjoys researching various aspects of Leadville’s past. The Soiled Doves presentation encompasses a brief mining history of Leadville and Summit and Chaffee Counties, and those who came out West to seek riches, including the women, and many who did not find fortune. Blanda will discuss the varied aspects of prostitution in the mid to late-1800’s and into the 1900s, from their day-to-day lives to an in-depth description of differences between a parlor girl and a crib girl, and from their clientele to their housing. There will be numerous fun facts and humorous accounts throughout the presentation. This presentation is not suitable for young…